Readers provide help to iron out mangle problem

Dear Readers: Not long ago, Mr. HandyPerson printed a letter from Georgia, who lives in Grays Harbor, and who has an old Bendix ironer (often called a mangle) with an oil leak. Mr. HP asked for help from readers.

Boy, did he get it! Letters are still arriving as he writes this. Here are some excerpts:

Dear Mr. HandyPerson: Georgia in Grays Harbor wrote looking for a way to fix her Bendix Deluxe Home Ironer. I can't help with fixing hers, but if she's interested, I have a vintage General Electric Rotary Ironer (I call it a mangle) in perfect condition, with the original manual. I don't use it anymore, and she can have it if she's willing to come get it.

- Paula, Seattle

Dear Paula: Thanks for your generous offer. Mr. HP will forward your letter to Georgia, along with the other offers from the Seattle area, as well as a few letters that went into quite a bit of technical detail about the likely problem and how to fix it or get it fixed, and those that named local references for advice and repair.

A number of letters pointed out that used appliance dealers often know the names of local companies that specialize in repairing vintage appliances.

After the usual generosity and enthusiasm of the readers, Mr. HP was most excited about being contacted by the Old Appliance Club of America's founder, Jack Santoro in Ventura, Calif., and learning a bit about this club. Founded in 1995, it now has more than 5,000 members in six countries:

Dear Mr. HandyPerson: A club member sent me a copy of your column about a woman in Washington who needed help with an old Bendix Deluxe Home Ironer.

The main focus of The Old Appliance Club is to assist its members to use and enjoy the old appliances they own and love. Our dues are $25 a year and include unlimited free consultation help by e-mail or telephone, free research help through our archives, and sources for parts and referrals for repairs. As a bonus, if members cannot find what they need, they are permitted four free classified ads in our members' quarterly magazine, "The Old Road Home." We know what they need is out there. Once the request is opened to the membership, it is not a question of if they will get it, but how quickly.

While it's true that some older appliances are less energy-efficient than current models offered on the market, we have found there are relatively simple ways to address this concern in many older appliances, particularly stoves. We now know that "planned obsolescence" has turned out to be the biggest waste of energy of all time.

A copy of "The Old Road Home" is enclosed for your entertainment.

- Jack Santoro, Ventura, Calif.

Dear Jack: Thanks a lot for the information you sent about the club (Mr. HP intends to join!) and the copy of "The Old Road Home," which he found informative and funny with its vintage appliance ads, reader letters and interesting features on old appliances.

Readers can get information on The Old Appliance Club by writing to P.O. Box 65, Ventura, Calif. 93002, or visiting the Web site at www.antiquestoves.com. The phone number is 805-643-3532; the e-mail is jes@west.net.

You are right on target, Jack, about "planned obsolescence" being the biggest energy-waster of all. Older appliances were built with the expectation that if a part wore out at some point, they could and would be repaired. Then, at some point, industry decided that throwing out the old and buying new was more profitable, regardless of the incredible waste of resources this represents.

It's true that great strides have been made in recent years with energy efficiency (Mr. HP was happy to replace his old dishwasher, which used more than 24 gallons of water per load and sounded like a freight train, with a new one that is nearly silent and uses four gallons of water and a quarter of the electricity), but repairing or upgrading insulation or operating parts on many older appliances can often be the overall energy saver in the long run. Thanks for your letter.

Personal to Georgia in Grays Harbor: By the time you read this, you should have gotten a big packet of helpful letters and information courtesy of Mr. HP's dependably generous readers. ! Please let him know how things work out.

Mr. HandyPerson wants to hear of home repair matters that are troubling you, interesting questions, funny experiences and useful tips you might want to share with other readers. Write to: Mr. HandyPerson, c/o Universal Press Syndicate, 4520 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64111.