Davis VF questions
 

Is there something special about these machines? How can you tell at a glance (or in crappy Craigslist pictures) that it's a Vertical Feed machine? After reading a different thread something tickled the back of my mind:
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/atq/3325315116.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/atq/3295543514.html

Are either or both of these VF machines?

You can tell by looking at the presser foot and needle bar. The presser foot looks as if it is grabing the material to feed under the needle. Also there are no feed dogs. Very nice machine to sew bindings on with because it is like using a walking foot.

Both VF's (VF2)

Are needles still available for the VF2?

NOS Boye 10's in the wooden tube or MTx190 industrial needle which don't have a flat side on shank and must be manually aligned in needlebar. The 190's are much cheaper.

Jon

Jon, great! Now I'm waiting for some better pics. If I get this I'm going to have to start consolidating treadle machines and get rid of surplus bases. We currently have five bases (all Singer) and way more machines than that - including Whites, New Homes and a Damascus.

Are there any disadvantages to the VF beyond parts availability? It seems like a great idea for most everything except free motion. I suppose it's more complex mechanically but I wouldn't think it would be as much so as a zigzag machine.

Not all that complex with care and is great for shifting fabrics.

Jon