The Lifespan of Large Appliances Is Shrinking

LukesfirstJeep said:

While Lancaster is the epicenter for Amish, they have been moving West for a long time. Western PA and Ohio have a significant population. They seem to go where land is cheap. A lot of the Amish furniture comes from factories in Ohio.

The Ziggenfus clan are from South Western PA. They're the one's that sued the State because they thought the orange triangular signs were too much. They want reflective grey/brown signs on the back of their buggies.

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Apparition said:

Here’s the place I can walk into part in hand to get what I need. They have a few locations and an online presence. Maybe the link can help someone someday.

https://www.deyparts.com/locations

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rasband said:

Maybe a dumb question, but how do I find these? I am about to head to western PA next week and wouldn't mind finding some gems.

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Granite said:

I got the 22 year old Asko dryer humming along again. The biggest problem is the lack of replacement drum rollers which are of a unique diameter and thickness, so as to fit on the narrow lip of the drum without rubbing, and hold it on the level as it rolls. So I have to fab my own every time they chunk up and fail.
I had used some polymer caster wheels last time, drilled out the center and glued in new high speed bearings, then had to clearance the outer edge a bit until they didn’t rub. They worked for a couple years but the failure mode was glorious; they exploded and snapped the belt when they went.

This time around I found luggage wheels of the right diameter, ground their width down to fit, popped out one of the 2 bearings they have and used the hole to recess the axle nut. Add the right washer and voila! It did take some experimentation with how much to grind off … turns out a lot. I feel good about the factory centered bearings in these and their intended use (luggage) being rolling at least at the speed of a dryer drum. With a new belt and these wheels on there I feel good about it!
As long as the heating element, rear drum bearing or circuit board don’t go on this thing I can keep this up for decades and not have to buy new! Knocking on wood …

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InOmaha said:

Would roller skate wheels work?

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Granite said:

I got the 22 year old Asko dryer humming along again. The biggest problem is the lack of replacement drum rollers which are of a unique diameter and thickness, so as to fit on the narrow lip of the drum without rubbing, and hold it on the level as it rolls. So I have to fab my own every time they chunk up and fail.
I had used some polymer caster wheels last time, drilled out the center and glued in new high speed bearings, then had to clearance the outer edge a bit until they didn’t rub. They worked for a couple years but the failure mode was glorious; they exploded and snapped the belt when they went.

This time around I found luggage wheels of the right diameter, ground their width down to fit, popped out one of the 2 bearings they have and used the hole to recess the axle nut. Add the right washer and voila! It did take some experimentation with how much to grind off … turns out a lot. I feel good about the factory centered bearings in these and their intended use (luggage) being rolling at least at the speed of a dryer drum. With a new belt and these wheels on there I feel good about it!
As long as the heating element, rear drum bearing or circuit board don’t go on this thing I can keep this up for decades and not have to buy new! Knocking on wood …

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