Picked up my 1961 503A ...

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Old 10-08-2015, 04:37 AM
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Default Picked up my 1961 503A ...

and she is beautiful! Sews beautifully! Came with 12 cams. Turns out the machine was placed in an old home ec cabinet by my friend's OSMG in the 60's and his wife used it for years before my friend bought it. The cabinet is super ugly (I know, some of you think the machine is ugly, also). The cabinet is made with a Formica top which can fold down out of the way or fold up to give tons of table space behind the machine! Too bad the 503 is not as good at FMQing as my 15-91, the cabinet is perfect for FMQing! Thinking about backing my 15-91 cabinet up to the back of the 503 cabinet for FMQing... Would take up a lot of space in the sewing room, though...
Here she is, in all her ugly glory! Can't beat the price: free!
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Old 10-08-2015, 05:13 AM
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Your machine looks very nice, and in good codition too. I am emvious. I would keep the table, it's not bad at all, a simple 1960s look. Is it teak? I love those folding tables and cabinets, a must if you don't have a dedicated sewing room. I would give it a chance for free motion too, it has the drop in bobbin, but it has a lot to do with tension and adjustments.
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Old 10-08-2015, 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by lovelyl View Post
...an old home ec cabinet...super ugly...with a Formica top which can fold down out of the way or fold up to give tons of table space behind the machine....
Your cabinet is what Singer called the Model #430 "Profile" Three Way Sewing Desk. It also came in a blonde finish. It was a classroom item used for sewing, cutting, and a study desk. Typically, there would be only one of these cabinets in the class room for the teacher, while the students had smaller cabinets. There was a tote tray (available separately at an additional cost) that slid in on the brackets on the left side, but, if so equipped, they must have been very useful for other things too, as they’re usually missing from these cabinets found today.

My wife had her Singer 401A in hers, and then had me mount a 301A cradle in it, and she has her Singer 301A in it now. She uses the combination to FMQ.

CD in Oklahoma
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Old 10-08-2015, 05:56 AM
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It is interesting to see different models and cabinets. Thanks for the photo and enjoy piecing with her.
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Old 10-08-2015, 05:58 AM
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That cabinet won't win any beauty contests, but formica is great for sewing - it's nice and slippery and a cinch to clean. Plus all that room - after you use it a while, I'll bet it gets prettier in your eyes. The 503 is a terrific machine too; looks right at home in that sea of formica. Did you get cam #11 (ribbon)? It's my favorite.
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Old 10-08-2015, 06:37 AM
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Actually I like the looks of the Rocketeer machines. The cabinet isn't a bad example of mid-century furniture. Not my favorite style but the work space would be nice.
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Old 10-08-2015, 06:56 AM
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Actually, we’ve found, that if you stack enough plastic tubs full of fabric, quilt blocks, thread, crafting supplies, rarely-used sewing tools, and other junk up under the cabinet, surrounded by a cute curtain made from fabric with vintage sewing machines printed on it, the style of the cabinet becomes a non-issue. The large work surface then becomes the main focus of attention.

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Old 10-08-2015, 07:33 AM
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CD, while your high-tech solution is a bit daunting for my abilities, it does solve the problem elegantly. Great idea!
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Old 10-08-2015, 08:03 AM
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Linda or CD, can you please post a pic of the cabinet that shows how the back part is held up? I have a blond cabinet almost identical to this but mine won't stay up. When I open the cabinet, the top just flips down the back of the cabinet, it won't stay flat and I can't figure out how to get it to stay flat like yours. I hope this makes sense I just woke up and I don't drink coffee.

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Old 10-08-2015, 08:11 AM
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I think she is a real cutie! The sixties remind me of the jetson's cartoon and this would fit in there perfectly. LOL.. But, I hope you don't take that wrong. I am sure it works like a dream.
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