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They Used To Last 50 Years

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Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#451

Post by bujak »

NDizzle wrote: post #238
snowwrestler wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Front load is better in every other way: easier on your clothes, so they last longer. Uses less water and less soap. Can take bulky fragile items like a down comforter or a tent.

It's not better in every way. Mildew. Having to leave it open so that the seals air out. Gravity - undefeated champion. Replacement parts and repairs. Get ready to open up your wallet. Good luck working on anything yourself.

All kinds of things will grow on the water pipes, drains and containers. That's normal. I can take all of them out super easy on our old siemens washing machine, we're talking less then 15 minutes. Rinse, put them in a dishwasher, put back in 15. that smell is gone for a couple of years. Good luck doing this on a more recent washing machine. I wouldn't recommend leaving the door open. Some rubber parts don't like it if they are dry for too long.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#452

Post by therealmarv »

throwaway729 wrote: post #221
bnolsen wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A serious problem in the US was that regulation demanded clothes washer lids be locked when in operation. This led to forced electronics on clothes washers starting several years ago just to handle the automatic switch. I know Speed Queen was trying to delay this mess but I don't know if they are still manufacturing purely mechanical washers or not...

Is this true? I bought a (new) washer I never understood front-load anyways. Topload fails safe. Front load fails in a giant puddle all over your floor.

In Europe you will find nowhere toploader. We know they are poor engineering: Bad water and electricity efficiency combined with more stress and wear out for the fabrics during washing. Only plus side I can see is that it is faster... but wasting so much resources does not justifies it IMHO.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#453

Post by Tepix »

cyxxon wrote: post #421
reitanqild wrote: post #293

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Miele Seconded: the Miele that my family insisted on buying us for the wedding is well beyond 8 years and we haven't had a single problem. 10 years warranty but rumour have it they might easily last up 20 years although you might have to change parts somewhere between 10 and 20 years. Oh, and I think it cost something less than USD1000.

Disclaimer: I work for Miele, but in the IT department. It is not really a rumor per se, I'd say - the internal idea at Miele is that the stuff should last 15 to 20 years with normal use. So of course it can break after 8 years, everything can, but it shouldn't - that's why Miele sells service certificates (extended manufacturer warranty) for 10 years etc.

I wonder how much more expensive an appliance would have to be if it were made to last as long as possible (within reason).

I think there's a market for a "heirloom" edition that costs 40% more and has a 20 year warranty.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#454

Post by kalleboo »

pcurve wrote: post #132
SeanDav wrote: post #124

On a related note, I accidentally cracked the touch screen of my 8 year old Ford Radio/AC control unit. Cost to replace 4,500 GBP, which is more than the entire value of the car currently. Insane, because it basically means if you crack the touch screen, you have to scrap the car, if you want to claim via insurance. Managed to get it replaced with a second hand one for £300, including labour.

can you imagine cracking LCDs in this car? (not a concept btw) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvZpBy_5xAA Skip to 0:30

Or the Tesla's 17" screen... http://www.hashslush.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/tesla_1....

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#455

Post by krylon »

reitanqild wrote: post #293
tiatia wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"would gladly pay $3000 for a washer" Miele. https://9to5mac.com/2011/03/07/how-steve-jobs-picks-a-washer...

Miele Seconded: the Miele that my family insisted on buying us for the wedding is well beyond 8 years and we haven't had a single problem. 10 years warranty but rumour have it they might easily last up 20 years although you might have to change parts somewhere between 10 and 20 years. Oh, and I think it cost something less than USD1000.

A friend of mine did his training at Miele and spent some time in their QA. He was very impressed with their thoroughness. ;-)

My dishwasher is a Miele, too. I have owned it for ... 13 years now, and I got if pre-owned, so I guess it is at least 20 years old. Has not given me any trouble, yet.

(My washing machine is some no-name brand, though, and it has worked well for 11-12 years now, so sometimes one can get lucky.)

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#456

Post by Tepix »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #389
mtdewcmu wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know that weight makes a big difference when shipping parts or complete machines. So the cost of shipping magnifies when you use heavier materials.

Perhaps when we buy applicances we should just choose the heaviest one.

I remember when I disassembled a VCR I was suprised to find a lead weight in it.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#457

Post by bujak »

prodmerc wrote: post #8

I've worked on hundreds of domestic appliances. Newer ones from any manufacturer are indeed failing more often, and are designed worse. The only explanation is that this is on purpose - just like cars or laptops or smartphones, they are designed to fail faster so you buy new ones. Planned obsolescence, plain and simple. The best appliances today, by the way, are made by Bosch/Siemens and Miele. None of the other manu…

Even appliances from the same factory going to different countries are vastly different in quality. Pretty much the same model too. There is a huge washing machine assembly operation inmy town, my friends work there, they warn anyone that would listen.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#458

Post by DanBC »

x0x0 wrote: post #335
M_Grey wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Compare the average Meanwhile my cheap apartment-scale fridge was made with chewing gum and hope.

That 25 year old refrigerator is almost certainly very expensive to operate. Look at the energy use over time: 1990 -> 2015 saw a halving of power usage (1000 kWh/y -> 500 kWh/y) -- over a ten year lifespan with CA electricity at $0.19/kWh, that's $950 in increased energy expenditure as compared to a new refrigerator. ie it would be close to free. http://aceee.org/blog/2014/09/how-your-refrigerator-has-kept... For re…

> All those metals are valuable.

And all those refrigerants need to be collected to prevent release to the atmosphere.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#459

Post by somecallitblues »

Had a Whirlpooi front loader washing machine which started electrocuting me after 18 months. They repaired it under warranty and it started doing the same thing a few months later. With a small child in the house I didn't want it here so sold it to some guy on eBay who didn't mind getting zapped. Should have seen him touch it when he came to pick it up. Now I a Bosh which seems much more solid.

Re: They Used To Last 50 Years

#460

Post by Tepix »

There is an obvious solution, isn't there? Appliances should be available for rent. The pricing would have to be designed so that when the appliance lasts more than, say 10 years, the manufacturer will reap extra benefits. If it lasts shorter than 10 years, they will lose money.
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