Question for you. We go to auctions a couple times a month and the one coming up has a Wheeler and Wilson sewing machine. Do you know anything about these? It looks very beat up, but I though if I could get it cheap, it might be fun to have. Very rudimentary looking - doesn't even look like a normal machine. Can't post a pix at this time.

Thanks Billy.

If you google "Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines" you will get lots of hits. I think from that you can research the machine. You also need to decide do you want this to be functioning treadle machine or a decorative piece in your home. If it is functioning I would make sure it wasn't siezed up or if it is do you or somebody you know feel ok tearing it apart to restore it? Also check to make sure all parts are on the treadle. A lot of parts for these old gals are available on line. I just found my shuttle, bobbins and belt at one supplier. Lost my ebay bid on the shuttle and bobbins so decided to go for new reproduction rather than period. Good luck and if you get her post pictures!

W&W machines are very nice machines and Singer eventually bought them out in the early teens I think when they were pushing the W&W #9.

Singer then put out the Singer W9 which was their decals on the W&W #9 and it is a very sought after machine. I have a friend in Lynchburg TN that loves the W&W's and he has quite a few. The early ones use a curved needle, but you can make your own if you have one as a pattern.

I would jump at the chance to get one if I could. I eventually would like to have a treadle machine from each and every manufacturer if I could but that could take several lifetimes to do.

But all the folks that I know that has a W&W falls in love with them and usually starts collecting as many as they can get their hands on.

Billy

have never heard of them. good luck

I am going to try and post the pix. It is not a treadle and is in bad shape and weird looking. Thanks Billy.

Here it is.

Can't hurt to go and bid on it. If you get it for really cheap ($25 or less) I bet you could triple your investment by taking it a part and selling the parts, especially if it is in bad shape. Auctions are so much fun but also incredibly frustrating when you really want something that someone else does. I usually quit bidding early on.

DO NOT TAKE IT APART!!!!

That is a machine that would clean up really nice from what I can see in the photo. Dont destroy a piece of history to make a dollar! :evil:

Depending on the bed height it might be a real rare machine, but I can tell you that its not a common machine. Usually those will go for a serious chunk of change like it sits ($300-$400) depending on how much of the decals are there or not.

Billy

the #9 did not have that arched shape. it had more of a singer shape. here's a good link:

http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/w&w.htm

this is a good site for answering questions about those machines:

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/collect...ne-106478.html

This machine is going to date in the neighborhood of 1854 to 1870 and depending on the features as to which W&W it will be. It has a glass presserfoot and the size of the foot helps the designation as to whether its a #3, #4, #5, #6. And the bed will also help in dating it. The bed height will also help with that and the bed plate should have an 1854 Patent date if its one of the earlier ones.

The chances of this machine sewing uniforms for the Civil War is possible!

Either way it is a rare machine and needs to be preserved no matter what!!

Billy

Thank you Billy! Hopefully, no one will want to bid on it. This is the same auction that I got my featherweight and there were only 2 of us bidding on it and I think the other person was bidding just to get the price up. The auction is next Tuesday night - will keep you posted! There is also listed a Coats 2 drawer wooden thread box and an old wooden sewing basket - I may hit the jackpot, or come home with nothing!!

so, whatever happened...did you get the machine..is it a Cobblers or hat makers machine???

Yeah I am wanting to know too!

Billy

If I remember correctly, I came home with nothing. The machine was not all there. I do have a Coats box, but not sure it is the same as I was talking about and I do not have a wooden sewing box, so did not hit the jack pot that night.
Recently bid on a 221, but did not get it. Did get a beautiful treadle one auction and only paid $15 - was all refinished. We have not been going as often, but try to get there when I see they have sewing machines.