Caroline S

Story first. I had an appointment to pick up the sewing machine at 11:30 am on Friday. The seller then called me to say could I make it earlier? OK, so I agreed to meet her at 9:00am. That meant that I had a real short road trip time frame. I had to leave at 7:30am, drive to pick up DD (AKA chief enabler) then cross the bridge to Gig Harbor. Thank goodness for GPS on DD's cell phone. Joyce the Voice gave us great directions and ETA. We arrive on time, go up and ring the doorbell. NOTHING! Not even a dog barking to welcome us. UH OH, what now. We wait 25 minutes and I send the seller a text message that we were here at the appoinment time and must leave as I cannot leave my mother unattended in bed (hubby is home but is unable to get mother up). I have to leave and give the seller my DD's cell phone number as a contact. Ten minutes later DD receives a call from the seller. She was home but was blow drying her hair and did not hear the doorbell or her cell phone!!! OK. DD agrees to meet seller at 3:00pm. Done. Arrives at 3:00pm, seller not home, AGAIN???? No NO NO! DD asks what should she do? Well, wait a few minutes. Which she does. Nothing, no call, no seller. So DD decides to leave and run over to Walmart and get a screwdriver to remove the sewing machine head from the cabinet ( I took one but it was in my truck, not her truck). Halfway to Walmart DD receives a call that the seller was 3 minutes away from her house. OK DD turns around and FINALLY arrives to pick up the sewing machine. But, I had to wait one more day to see and inspect my new girl in the house.

It appears that someone had attempted to refinish the cabinet at an earlier time. The front middle drawer and right side drawer pices are missing but I will be able to restore them using the left side as patterns. The machine is in fairly good condition and everything still moves freely. If I had been able to pick up the machine I may have done some dickering on price. Oh well, I really wanted a Davis Verticle Feed and would likely have paid the asking price if the seller did not want to come down.

The instruction manual is in very fragile condition and missing the cover and page 1 and 2. But she has a full drawer of attachments and even a needle. Also in one of the drawers was a 1954 paid utility bill with a name and address in Cashmere, WA. I may even find the name of the original owner and give my new girl a history. Genealogy is another one of my hobbies.

Bennett

She's going to be wonderful! Congratulations.

Charlee

NICE!! Now...I think you should package up those attachments and manual right away and send them to me for inspection!! While you're at it, toss the machine in the box too!!

J Miller

Please tell me how that machine feeds the material with out feed dogs? I'm just dying to know.

Nice machine and glad you finally hooked up with the seller.

Joe

Caroline S

Uh fat chance Charlee. Just think what I went through to get her. The poor manual is so tattered and fragile so I am going to carefully straighten the pages and scan them. One of the worst worn and torn pages is the one showing how to wind the bobbin. Another page shows the exact size of the needle with an IMPORTANT NOTICE. The last sentence says "If there is no dealer in DAVIS V.F. SEWING MACHINES in your place, write directly to any office of this Company, enclosing 35 cents for one dozen needles of such sizes you may indicate. OK. I wonder if the offer is still good? Just kidding though. Does the Davis take a special size needle? Yep, I have a lot to learn. I think I may have found the name of the original owner though. Did do a little genealogical sleuthing and I think her first name may have been Elvira. Not conclusive at this point but it is a good vintage name.

Caroline S

Here is a youtube video showing the fabric feeding mechanism. Not my model but same principle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxpWrP5Wrc

Once you see it you will understand how it operates. You may even decide that the Davis VF is a machine you might add to your growing collection. Best of all, no re-wiring.

Here is another one, a hand crank being operated by a man. Yes, Joe. You can do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW_hQ_HoBuE

Charlee

I don't think Joe can watch You Tube on dial up?

Joe, it advances the fabric with the needle, and a bit with the foot of the machine. Instead of a round hole for the needle to travel through to get to the bobbin, it's an elongated hole, that allows the needle to move front to back while it's in the bobbin area. Once it gets to the back, the needle lifts and starts the cycle over. These machines are engineered to stitch 1200 stitches per minute, which is not bad for a treadle machine!

Ok Caroline...I understand if you don't care if your manual and attachments, along with the machine are good enough for you...I was just trying to help.... ~wink and a grin~ If you'll share that last name with me, I'll help you look for Mrs. William ???

ETA: I forgot to ask...did you join the Davis VF yahoo group yet? You need to enter the machine's info in the database...we can get a good idea of the date that way!

Charlee

And then I didn't answer your needle question! Yes....they took a Boye 10 needle, or Jon tells us we can use a Mtx...uhmmmm.....er.... 190?

Mizkaki sells them...I know that much!!

Monroe

I guess good machines come to those who wait.... and wait....... Glad you have what you sought, and I think it will clean up well. Please post before and after? Thanks.

mighty

Wonderful, enjoy!!!!