buslady

I found one in S.Dakota, which is a pretty good road trip from me, but it just happened that my SIL was on a hunting trip in Wyoming and going to be driving right by this machine on his way home. Well, our connections were off a little and I missed it by about 10 minutes. I just couldn't stop thinking about the machine, talked about driving down there, it's been months, did she even have it. I have so many machine DH didn't think I needed another. I told him I would stop buying unless I found the Vertical feed and a Singer that takes cams. Those are the two I was really looking for. (I have brought a couple more home since then, but only a couple). Anyway, back to my story. We were on vacation the first part of the week up at Boyne Mtn. On the way home yesterday we decided to do some "junking". Found some nice shops in Petosky, one even had a "Kingston" that looked very nice. I thought $100 was a little steep, so it stayed there. Then we stopped (about our 4th stop) at a shop in Houghton Lake. Very nice shop, clean and just packed with great "stuff". DH went off one way, and I the other. Lots of cool stuff, but nothing that called to me. Then, there, in the corner, pretty as could be, IT was. I approached it slowly, looking at the cabinet, it was clean and in very good shape for it's age. I looked at the irons, the pitman was there, and they moved smoothly. I looked at the name on the machine, "DAVIS". My eyes instinctively looked at the needle bed. NO FEEDDOGS!! I had found one. OK, how much does she want for it? $75. But, nooooo, you HAVE to bargain. But first, find DH and show him what I found, he's out back somewhere, I cannot wait! There is the proprietor. Are the prices firm? Will you take $50. (She didn't know I would pay about anything!) I played it cool. She looked at me like I was Nuts. No, how about $60? I was sooooo excited, she told me "I will clear the stuff off the top", and I realized I was taking the stuff off the top of it and setting it anywhere there was a flat spot! I wanted that machine. DH comes out, we've been on vacation, and junking, and the Expedition is loaded. "Where you gonna put it", "Don't you worry about it, it will fit if I have to leave your suitcase here on the side of the road". LOL It fit, and now it sits at my house waiting for a SSS. It won't take much, it is in great shape. I don't have the serial number off it yet, but will be looking for info on the machine, DH chastised me because I forgot to ask about it's history! That's what happens when I get too excited.
Oh, excuse the mess around the machine. It was storming out when we got home so everything made it just inside the door, and what a mess to clean up today!!!

Charlee

Congrats!! You are going to LOVE this machine!! What a neat story!

Make sure you join the Yahoo group for Davis Vertical Feed machines...there's a wealth of information there!

annthreecats

How cool. That machine and cabinet look like they are in good shape. Enjoy.

irishrose

She's going to be a beauty when she's cleaned up. Nice find.

JMCDA

Wonderful story! It was obviously waiting for you to come into the shop and take it home! The machine looks to be in super shape and the cabinet will be beautiful with a bit of spiffing! I know nothing about the vertical feed machines - look forward to hearing more about your journey with her.

Joann

J Miller

That's a nice looking machine. But what I don't understand is how it feeds the material without feed dogs. Can somebody educate me?

Joe

Charlee

Here you go Joe...the needle moves the fabric....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxpWrP5Wrc

vintagemotif

CONGRATS!! You are going to love this machine!! Great to use for binding, straight stitch quilting, and it loves flannel!!! Only clean the machine with sewing oil to preserve those decals, otherwise they could turn green on you.
I have one machine that someone cleaned part of the machine and the green turned green. So only use sewing machine oil for cleaning. As Charlee mentioned the Davis yahoo site has all the needed information.

Monroe

It's beautiful! I'll never find such a treasure. What is the machine hiding in the background?

Monroe

Or should I say "machines"? Looks like you are a Collector!