I've got a 70's era washer and dryer that I got used in the late 80's.
The drum sliders on the dryer have worn and the drum is at a low
angle, the transmission on the washer finally gave up the ghost.

I can get a replacement transmission for the washer and renovate the
drum sliders on the dryer, but it occurs to me that besides the
hardware, there's also 30-plus year old electrical components. I
wonder if at a certain point appliances become dangerous to keep
going.

The problem I have with new appliances is that they all seem to
utilize computer chip/circuit board technology. One of the great
things about the old washer/dryer is they utilize relatively simple
mechanical controls which appear to have contributed to their
longevity.

Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
mechanical controls?

On Mon, 25 May 2009 20:46:04 -0700 (PDT), brassplyer
<b...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
>mechanical controls?

I got some from Whirlpool last year. I'm with you, give me mechanical
timers. 
I am looking for an old style oven, having no success, as we speak.

<g...@aol.com> wrote in message 
news:c...@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 25 May 2009 20:46:04 -0700 (PDT), brassplyer
> <b...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
>>mechanical controls?
>
> I got some from Whirlpool last year. I'm with you, give me mechanical
> timers.
> I am looking for an old style oven, having no success, as we speak.

Last year we bought a Bertazzoni gas range for the reasons you state. No 
electronics, cooks fantastic.  Fairly new in the US, they've been around for 
100 years and make a quality product. 

On May 25, 10:46=A0pm, brassplyer  wrote:
> I've got a 70's era washer and dryer that I got used in the late 80's.
> The drum sliders on the dryer have worn and the drum is at a low
> angle, the transmission on the washer finally gave up the ghost.
>
> I can get a replacement transmission for the washer and renovate the
> drum sliders on the dryer, but it occurs to me that besides the
> hardware, there's also 30-plus year old electrical components. I
> wonder if at a certain point appliances become dangerous to keep
> going.
>
> The problem I have with new appliances is that they all seem to
> utilize computer chip/circuit board technology. One of the great
> things about the old washer/dryer is they utilize relatively simple
> mechanical controls which appear to have contributed to their
> longevity.
>
> Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
> mechanical controls?

We had a commercial set that lasted about 35 years, new consumer stuff
today is junk. Just check out the weight of your unit and compare it
to new stuff today, today they are made to last 3-10 yrs. For quality
like you have look at commercial units, they are maybe double the
price but 5x the quality and you should find simple heavy duty
controls. If you can cheaply fix what you have, do it.

brassplyer wrote:
> I've got a 70's era washer and dryer that I got used in the late 80's.
> The drum sliders on the dryer have worn and the drum is at a low
> angle, the transmission on the washer finally gave up the ghost.
>
> I can get a replacement transmission for the washer and renovate the
> drum sliders on the dryer, but it occurs to me that besides the
> hardware, there's also 30-plus year old electrical components. I
> wonder if at a certain point appliances become dangerous to keep
> going.
>
> The problem I have with new appliances is that they all seem to
> utilize computer chip/circuit board technology. One of the great
> things about the old washer/dryer is they utilize relatively simple
> mechanical controls which appear to have contributed to their
> longevity.
>
> Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
> mechanical controls?

Dangerous? I don't think so. I've never heard of a washer or dryer failing 
in a potentially lethal manner.

When I paid my bill last year at a small hotel, the manager computed the 
charges on a comptometer (an exotic mechanical adding machine, with gears 
and stuff). He said the machine had been working reliably at the hotel for 
over 50 years. So, I guess there's something to be said for ancient 
technology.

Me? I'd fix them. 

I don't know of any safety concerns. The only one that comes 
to mind is a bit far fetched. The windings in the electric 
motors may be wearing through. But, that's not a likely 
problem. Since they work well for you, I'd keep using them.

My personal washing machine was here when I moved in, 1994. 
Since then I've had to oil the motor twice, and clean the 
dried oil out of the timer, once. I line dry everythign, so 
no dryer to worry about.

-- 
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
  www.lds.org
.


"brassplyer" <b...@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:9...@s28g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
I've got a 70's era washer and dryer that I got used in the 
late 80's.
The drum sliders on the dryer have worn and the drum is at a 
low
angle, the transmission on the washer finally gave up the 
ghost.

I can get a replacement transmission for the washer and 
renovate the
drum sliders on the dryer, but it occurs to me that besides 
the
hardware, there's also 30-plus year old electrical 
components. I
wonder if at a certain point appliances become dangerous to 
keep
going.

The problem I have with new appliances is that they all seem 
to
utilize computer chip/circuit board technology. One of the 
great
things about the old washer/dryer is they utilize relatively 
simple
mechanical controls which appear to have contributed to 
their
longevity.

Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and 
dryers with
mechanical controls? 

On May 25, 10:46=A0pm, brassplyer  wrote:
> I've got a 70's era washer and dryer that I got used in the late 80's.
> The drum sliders on the dryer have worn and the drum is at a low
> angle, the transmission on the washer finally gave up the ghost.
>
> I can get a replacement transmission for the washer and renovate the
> drum sliders on the dryer, but it occurs to me that besides the
> hardware, there's also 30-plus year old electrical components. I
> wonder if at a certain point appliances become dangerous to keep
> going.
>
> The problem I have with new appliances is that they all seem to
> utilize computer chip/circuit board technology. One of the great
> things about the old washer/dryer is they utilize relatively simple
> mechanical controls which appear to have contributed to their
> longevity.
>
> Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
> mechanical controls?

I bought a new GE electric dryer in 1970 and it's still in use today.
Only repairs in all that time were a belt and a drum bushing.  I'll
keep it until it dies.  By contrast, I've been replacing my washer
about every 5 years.  They just don't make 'em like they used to.

KC

"KC" wrote:
> I bought a new GE electric dryer in 1970 and it's still in use today.
> Only repairs in all that time were a belt and a drum bushing.  I'll
> keep it until it dies.  By contrast, I've been replacing my washer
> about every 5 years.  They just don't make 'em like they used to.

I bought my washer, *used*, almost 20 years ago.  In that time, I have 
replaced the pump twice.

My drier is also a used purchase from 20 years ago, and I replaced the 
heaterbox five years ago.

I have no plans for replacing either unit.

Jon 

On May 26, 11:03=EF=BF=BDam, "Jon Danniken" 
wrote:
> "KC" wrote:
> > I bought a new GE electric dryer in 1970 and it's still in use today.
> > Only repairs in all that time were a belt and a drum bushing. =EF=BF=BD=
I'll
> > keep it until it dies. =EF=BF=BDBy contrast, I've been replacing my was=
her
> > about every 5 years. =EF=BF=BDThey just don't make 'em like they used t=
o.
>
> I bought my washer, *used*, almost 20 years ago. =EF=BF=BDIn that time, I=
 have
> replaced the pump twice.
>
> My drier is also a used purchase from 20 years ago, and I replaced the
> heaterbox five years ago.
>
> I have no plans for replacing either unit.
>
> Jon

probably saftey isnt as big a issue as parts availability and cost
effectivness.

I finally retired my over 40 year old GE washing machine because the
motor internally shorted to ground and new motors didnt fit and
rewinding motor cost as much as a new machine.

it was bought to wash my diapers when i was born, still feel bad it
died.

the replacement machine now 12 years old has issues, and no doubt
woiuld of gone to trash except i have 2 washers and 2 dryers, its my
back up macxhine

brassplyer wrote:
> I've got a 70's era washer and dryer that I got used in the late 80's.
> The drum sliders on the dryer have worn and the drum is at a low
> angle, the transmission on the washer finally gave up the ghost.
>
> I can get a replacement transmission for the washer and renovate the
> drum sliders on the dryer, but it occurs to me that besides the
> hardware, there's also 30-plus year old electrical components. I
> wonder if at a certain point appliances become dangerous to keep
> going.

I wouldn't worry about safety, except for parts related to the control
of gas in a gas dryer.  It's possible the wire insulation has become
brittle and can easily crack, but that shouldn't be much of a hazard
since the appliances are grounded and made with metal housings.
However I'd probably replace an appliance if its wire insulation was
bad in many miscellaneous areas, as opposed to just one spot, unless I
was in the mood to completely rewire it.

> The problem I have with new appliances is that they all seem to
> utilize computer chip/circuit board technology. One of the great
> things about the old washer/dryer is they utilize relatively simple
> mechanical controls which appear to have contributed to their
> longevity.

Electronic controls aren't that bad and can be repaired, unless a
custom-programmed chip fails.  I don't know if such chips are
available, but they were for TVs.  Common electronic problems are worn
pushbuttons, cracks in solder and circuit board traces, bad
capacitors, and shorted power components.

> Does anyone still make rock-solid barebones washers and dryers with
> mechanical controls?

Roper, a Whirlpool brand, offers nothing else, but mechanical controls
are still widely utilized in dryers and top-loading washers.