Washing machine dilemma

[Mick]

Our hotpoint washer is 8 years old and works fine
But the tray where the soap goes has broken off at the side and has to be replaced
But you can't just buy the drawer you have to buy the full front panel
This costs £116 from hotpoint
Now with the washer being 8 years old do I just replace the panel and risk the machine not breaking down anytime soon or do I buy a new washer?

[Hill Walker]

Try a quiet word with the guys at the local dump/recycling centre.

[gpick24]

Just use tablets e.g. Ariel Liqui Tabs that go in the drum with the washing, then you don`t need the drawer, or have a look on ebay some on there for a few quid.

[Gordon Booth]

Mick, the water feeds into the soap tray so you need it in place.
Get one of the two part adhesives(Aroldite?) , two tubes in a pack, they set like rock when you mix them.£3 or £4.
Give the tray and the side a thorough clean,stick the side on with them, put plenty of glue on the inside then it doesn't interfere with the drawer fit in the washer. Don't put too much setting agent in, it thins the adhesive down, you want it nice and thick. So let it set for a full day to be sure.
I've repaired all sorts of things with that stuff, it's really strong and sticks to anything.
Then use tablets or capsules as gpick 24 suggests so you don't need to move the drawer again.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I use Washing liquid. But put it in a dispenser in the drum......They come on the screw top of Surf liquid.
I think Gordon's solution is top drawer......sorry couldn't resist that.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

Mick, the water feeds into the soap tray so you need it in place.
Get one of the two part adhesives(Aroldite?) , two tubes in a pack, they set like rock when you mix them.£3 or £4.
Give the tray and the side a thorough clean,stick the side on with them, put plenty of glue on the inside then it doesn't interfere with the drawer fit in the washer. Don't put too much setting agent in, it thins the adhesive down, you want it nice and thick. So let it set for a full day to be sure.
I've repaired all sorts of things with that stuff, it's really strong and sticks to anything.
Then use tablets or capsules as gpick 24 suggests so you don't need to move the drawer again.

The bit of plastic only has a very thin edge to stick onto the door then the soap dispenser sits in another very thin bit of plastic" _| "like this poor design molded out of one bit once it snaps very hard to grip until it sets

[Gordon Booth]

It's hard to say without seeing the bits.
Don't use it as an edge to edge glue like Loctite. If you can build up a layer between the two bits where it won't catch on other parts.
Another solution is to leave the drawer out and seal the hole or seal the remains of the drawer in place with silicone rubber.
I never use the drawer, I just use tablets.

[DtheP47]

Try some "Hard Plastic Glue" from Wilkinsons Mick to stick the edges, use masking tape to support the assembly until it sets. Then use the new wonder moldable glue Sugru to reinforce the inner wall. Sugru has a short shelf life so check before you buy (Wilkinsons again) and go for the pack with the longest shelf life because that does affect its properties. As GB suggests give it a good clean first, acetone or nail polish remover. Good luck.

[Less]

Oh dear, you've just suffered loose slates and things wetting everything. Now you can't wet anything because of this. Perhaps it's time you did the lottery it's a roll over, your luck has got to improve.

If not you can bring your smellies over here I'll bung them in for you.

They forced me to wear the wig, the glasses are my own mistake.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Now then Mick...that's an offer you can't refuse...someone else doing the washing!

[Mick]

I think the wife will have a say on this
Just found out she also has a say on the washing machine repair too

[Margaret Pilkington]

I know what I would do.....it would be a trip to a certain white goods shop....or better still AO.
At least that way you know that you are not going to be faced with further expensive breakdowns.
My current washer is 15 at the end of this month.....I keep waiting for it to go on the fritz.....then I would get a quieter model with a larger load capacity and a faster spin speed.
I really do hope I haven't jinxed it by saying that(she said, rubbing her hands and smiling)

[Neil]

Originally Posted by DtheP47

Try some "Hard Plastic Glue" from Wilkinsons Mick to stick the edges, use masking tape to support the assembly until it sets. Then use the new wonder moldable glue Sugru to reinforce the inner wall. Sugru has a short shelf life so check before you buy (Wilkinsons again) and go for the pack with the longest shelf life because that does affect its properties. As GB suggests give it a good clean first, acetone or nail polish remover. Good luck.

If you use normal PVC insulation tape with araldite the tape peels off the araldite when it's gone hard. You can use it to hold the glue where it would normally run off and to make fillets with the glue to give more strength to 2 glued pieces

[DtheP47]

That's the problem using Araldite Neil, it is runny for want of a better word. Hard plastic glue melts and fuses the pieces with less drips. Remember Airfix kits and that glue?

[dotti34]

Washing machines – tell me about them! So frustrating. My machine works brilliantly – that is when it wants to! When it’s not in the right mood it will do a cycle or two and then stop, refusing to budge no matter how much I plead with it.

Switched off and given a break, on being restarted it will then come to the party and perform like a trouper. This is usually after I have threatened to throw it and given it a few kicks at the risk of breaking a toe or two.

I decide I will have to replace it but then it goes well so I change my mind – that is until it has the sulks again. It has become a battle between woman and machine and this woman does not like to be beaten – when I win I savour the victory as I hang out the spoils.

In the meantime I find myself talking to a bleeding machine……