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Thread Number: 40832
/ Tag: Major Appliances
My thoughts on Speed Queen |
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| Post# 433791 10/19/2020 at 14:12 (1,278 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
Speed Queen for those of you who don't know is a laundry brand that is manufactured and headquartered in Ripon, Wisconsin. Speed Queen is famously known for making durable and reliable commercial washers and dryers like the ones that you would find at laundromats, hotels, or apartments. But they also make commercial grade washers and dryers for residential use. When I first discovered Speed Queen a few years ago, the name reminded me of Filter Queen since they both have the word "Queen" on their brands and at first I was thinking they were owned by the same company but they aren't. Although I think that would've been cool if they were. Filter Queen is owned by Health-Mor and Speed Queen is owned by Alliance Laundry Systems. When I first used a Speed Queen top load washer, it seemed to get the job done. However though almost every time that I would use a Speed Queen top load washer, I would just be more impressed with the results! And when I first used a Speed Queen dryer, it seemed to dry very well. However though shortly after a few more uses, I finally came to a conclusion that Speed Queen is the best dryer that I've ever used! It wasn't long after I used the Speed Queens that I would be looking into them when I get a set for my own place.
Anyways, I thought that I wanted to share on here about this particular set I've used just over the weekend. This is my uncle's TR7 washer and DR7 dryer that he and his wife have. Last year, they were looking for a new set to replace their Whirlpool ones that were only a couple years old because it didn't clean very well and it was tearing up on their loads. I suggested to them the Speed Queen because I was really pleased with the ones that I've used and that's what they ended up getting. But sometime during that year, I've made the discovery that SQ recently changed their regulations on their top load washers. I was a bit worried that they got one of the TR models because those are different now but shortly after getting the SQs, they seemed to be really impressed with them so I was thinking that they went with both the TC5 washer and DC5 dryer. The TC5 still uses the same classic motor and transmission like what they've always used. But when I saw these for the very first time just last weekend, I was shocked that it was in fact a TR7 and a DR7. I still wanted to try both of them out so I put a load of my clothes in there and I was completely STUNNED with the results! I went on a four wheeling trip that same weekend and so we ended up kicking alot of dust. I didn't really expected the TR7 to clean my clothes very well because they were really dusty but man this washer just blew me out of the water! I took photos of my white socks to see the results very closely and I think it cleaned just as well as our LG front loader that we have. Alot of members from automaticwasher.org the sister website of vacuumland.org criticized the TR models and I was thinking they were going to be junk anyways when I was using the TR7 but now I think the TR series is not as bad as I thought they were. I still personally would want an old school classic model like the TC5 but maybe I wouldn't feel as bad if someone gifted us a TR set for our wedding present. What about the rest of you that has/had owned or used a Speed Queen? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about them on here. | ||
| Post# 433792 , Reply# 1 10/19/2020 at 14:43 (1,278 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
I've never used A Speed Queen except at a laundromat but two observations come to mind from your photos: First, I like the stainless steel tubs on both units. To me, that's an indicator of good build quality; however, the digital controls are a dead giveaway that they too many self-destructing circuit boards inside and that's a definite deal killer for me. Too many manufacturers use the circuit boards as a forced obsolescence tool. The boards are often discontinued with great rapidity to force users to replace their otherwise still serviceable appliances at shorter and shorter intervals, thereby removing them from the ever-shrinking category of "durable goods" and instead placing them in the ever burgeoning category of consumables. That's why I stick with my Whirlpool washer and Roper by Whirlpool dryer. They're built with cheap, commodity components and no circuit boards. I can diagnose most problems with a multimeter and field strip them with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. For me, simplicity wins over superfluous whiz-bang features every day of the week.
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| Post# 433831 , Reply# 2 10/20/2020 at 00:16 (1,277 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA) | ||
Never used a Speed Queen. I've seen quite a few and I always kind of liked how they seem to stick with the good old fashioned way of washing clothes. None of that high efficiency crap, and look! They're literally still using the same sheet metal stampings to build them. They look like they're from the 1980s. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Kind of interesting, then, that they chose to go down the touch pad and digital display road. I'd imagine their products seem mighty outdated to the average consumer, so they probably wanted to throw them some kind of bone. Electronics and PCBs aren't bad. It's merely a progression of technology that needs to be embraced by repairmen, lest they want to be left behind. It's happened just the same in the auto industry several times. Also, my appliance repairman friend was just consulting with me on a range control board today. It was hard to find a replacement (yes, that's the company being shitty, not the product), but I was thinking if that was my stove, I'd just replace the board entirely with a Raspberry Pi. The outputs are stupidly simple. A Pi and a relay board and a little programming would be simple enough. | ||
| Post# 433842 , Reply# 3 10/20/2020 at 08:44 (1,277 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA) | ||
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| Post# 433843 , Reply# 4 10/20/2020 at 09:17 (1,277 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
I own the last set of REAL Speed Queens, made at the end of October, 2017. That was the last time they made one with a mechanical timer and the top-of-the-agitator fill. The very first thing we did, after taking the box away from the machine, was we made it work the lid open. Put a Kirby belt under the lid switch in the back. Then I adjusted the fill switch to the very maximum fill.
I also bought the matching dryer with mechanical timer. I love them. The best washing machine and dryer made. I didn't want one where the tub and agitator moved together. Absolutely not. And I didn't want an electronic timer. When I found out Speed Queen was discontinuing the 'real' ones, I bought the very last ones my dealer had in stock. | ||
| Post# 433854 , Reply# 5 10/20/2020 at 12:23 (1,277 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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Electronic control boards...
The sad truth is here in the twenty-first century, electronic controls are cheaper to manufacture, even if they don't last as long. Try to find even an entry level stove that doesn't have electronic oven controls and a digital timer. The fact that those electronic controls can be quickly and easily rendered obsolete is just a bonus to the manufacturers. I think major appliance manufacturers should be required by law to make replacement parts available for their products for the duration of the useful lifespan of the product, at least 10 years after a particular model ceases production. Out of warranty should not equal obsolescence.
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| Post# 433858 , Reply# 6 10/20/2020 at 13:39 (1,277 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Tom, I would very much like to see photos of your SQ set. You may have the ones that I have used very similarly like these washers below (AWN412P111TW01). I think those are my favorite SQs of all time, such a shame that those got discontinued. But what I think was a real shame was the discontinuation of the 8 series and 9 series. I'm one of those people who prefers to have an electronic timer and buttons on their set like the TR7 and DR7.
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| Post# 434127 , Reply# 7 10/24/2020 at 14:32 (1,273 days old) by Dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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Mine have the second rinse selector but no end of cycle signal.
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| Post# 434135 , Reply# 8 10/24/2020 at 17:34 (1,273 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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That's a very nice set there Tom, I really like that poster and the measuring cup you have as well.
I just found this out today but SQ actually still makes mechanical and electronic TL washers with the old school motor, transmission, and agitator separated from the tub for commercial use but they are home style. | ||
| Post# 434141 , Reply# 9 10/24/2020 at 18:13 (1,273 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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| Post# 434156 , Reply# 11 10/25/2020 at 00:25 (1,272 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Post# 434437 , Reply# 13 11/1/2020 at 09:41 (1,265 days old) by gottahaveahoove  (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Owen, | ||
| Post# 434467 , Reply# 14 11/1/2020 at 23:16 (1,264 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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That's an awesome set you got there Owen! I wished Speed Queen was still selling sets like these with the old school motor, transmission, and agitator separated from the tub. Actually they still do but they're commercial models and they only make them a few times a year. I've noticed recently that a couple members from automaticwasher.org bought a LWNE22SP115TW01 commercial top load washer and swapped out the control boards to use as a residential washer since the commercial ones would give you less options from the panel. I think that's what I might do if I get myself a commercial SQ set.
www.automaticwasher.org/c... www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/... John, I was thinking you had a Hoover washer and dryer since I thought you like all appliances with everything Hoover on them lol. I guess Maytag would still count since they did owned Hoover at one point. | ||
| Post# 434487 , Reply# 15 11/2/2020 at 14:31 (1,264 days old) by Dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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Nice machines Owen. I had the option of going for the electron it controls, but I am the type of person who needs to have control over the machine at all times. If I want to just push in the knob to stop the machine and let the clothes soak a little, I want to be able to do that. The electronica controls do not offer you that flexibility to just stop and change the cycle in the middle.
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Post# 434489 , Reply# 16 11/2/2020 at 15:11 (1,264 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Alex,
lol, if I could, I probably would! I DO have a matching Hoover 'portable' set, which I don't use.
My Maytags are the 'last of the best', I was told by my serviceman. They look and work like new. IF I had to replace them, I'd go "Speedqueen". Hopefully, I won't have to make that decision. Bot of my machines have had repairs, but they were easily done, and reasonably priced. They date back to 1992, and, thankfully, are perfect. Now, if I find matching Hoovers............................. | ||
| Post# 434612 , Reply# 17 11/5/2020 at 18:23 (1,261 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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John
Maytag came out with a commercial set a couple years ago that is sold for residential use. If you would like to get another Maytag, this is what I would look into. I probably might look into these if for whatever reason I were to pass on SQ. According to this one expert down below, this Maytag washer is probably the best top loader that you could find on the market today. Although I'm still leaning towards on getting SQ for myself because it lets you add in straight hot water for the washer and I would trust that SQ would outlast Maytag in the long run.
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Post# 434641 , Reply# 18 11/6/2020 at 10:49 (1,260 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Thanks, Alex
That was very kind. I HOPE to not have to replace them at all. My repairman told me, years ago, "Do everything you can to keep these". And, I have. The gas 'igniter' was replaced, along with the little 'tire' on the dryer, and a few things were replaced on the washer. It was still cheaper than new machines. And, these match, look/work great. Thank God.I originally wanted "almond", now known as 'bisque'. But, bright, shiny white works, too.
I do like things to match. But, that's just me. | ||
| Post# 434647 , Reply# 19 11/6/2020 at 13:00 (1,260 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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John | ||
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Post# 434693 , Reply# 21 11/7/2020 at 20:54 (1,258 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Alex, | ||
| Post# 434731 , Reply# 22 11/8/2020 at 22:06 (1,257 days old) by electroluxxxx (……) | ||
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John: its about time you get a new camera instead of posting "old" pics... it will save you lots of time from having to search through the "files", and it would be lovely to see your updates that you say you have made. | ||
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Post# 434732 , Reply# 23 11/8/2020 at 22:59 (1,257 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Alex, | ||
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Post# 434733 , Reply# 24 11/8/2020 at 23:25 (1,257 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Alex, | ||
| Post# 434739 , Reply# 25 11/9/2020 at 01:45 (1,257 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado) | ||
Talked a good friends into getting a front load set in 2017, so far he’s been extremely happy with it!
Mike, if my Facebook was any indication, someone LOVES digging around in year or older posts... not to mention liking them. Which brings me to this, I just went ahead and liked this post in hopes others will too! | ||
| Post# 434752 , Reply# 26 11/9/2020 at 11:47 (1,257 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado) | ||
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Post# 434756 , Reply# 27 11/9/2020 at 15:14 (1,257 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Alex, | ||
| Post# 434824 , Reply# 28 11/11/2020 at 14:07 (1,255 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Mike, that's an awesome collection you have there! I wonder if you're also a member on automaticwasher.org?
John, I just looked at your other thread. That's a cool looking set you have! Kind of reminds me of my grandparents old Maytag TL washer they had before it got replaced a little over 10 years ago. I believe they bought it when their house was built back in 1982. I don't remember it too well other than when it had a problem during the spin cycle, we went out to Home Depot and bought a Maytag Centennial but the agitator was on the bottom of the tub. I'm not really a fan of those, but it apparently works well for my grandfather. However I'd rather use his Maytag Neptune that he has over at his other place. For some odd reason I have a hard time believing others that criticizes the Neptunes, I actually like them. Even our old Neptune set we used to have I thought was good overall. Reggie, if I were to go for a front load washer, I would also look into a SQ. Practically the one that Alex has in his video, I like having the controls on the back of the washer and dryer instead of on the front like the FF7/DF7. It would bring me back memories of our old Neptune set that we used to have. Do you also have SQ out of curiosity? | ||
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Post# 434829 , Reply# 29 11/11/2020 at 15:50 (1,255 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Thanks, Alex.
We moved a Hotpoint gas dryer and General Electric washer upstairs from the basement when some remodeling was done. After a while, they developed issues.
My mother was visiting Ireland. One day, the dryer died. I went to the appliance store and got the Maytag gas dryer. The NEXT day, the washer died. I returned and got a matching Maytag washer. They live in a little laundry closet. My mom came home from Ireland. Next day, she went to do her laundry, opened the door and gasped! "What happened while I was gone"? I replied, "$800.00 happened". In 1992, $800.00 for that set was a lot of money. They served all of us well. Thank goodness!! | ||
| Post# 434855 , Reply# 31 11/12/2020 at 09:11 (1,254 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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| Post# 434944 , Reply# 32 11/13/2020 at 13:44 (1,253 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Tom, I believe they still do. I've heard from one user on AW that you can still get the FF7/DF7 either in white or stainless steel.
Mike, I've heard that the Neptunes were one of the reasons why the original Maytag company went bankrupt. Interesting to hear that they made Neptune top loaders, or maybe I am thinking the other way around here. But yeah I really liked our Neptunes. Even though we are very impressed with our LGs that replaced our Neptunes, I still however miss the Neptunes. Our set had the touch screen control boards which I thought at the time was one of the coolest things that I have ever seen on a washer and dryer before. This picture isn't ours but it's to give you an idea of what it looked like when we had it. Although oddly from what I remember, the dryer was slightly taller than the washer. Maybe it's just because it was a gas model since that was the only gas dryer we've ever had.
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