A Grasshopper for $70.00...
 

Hubby just sent a text saying a green Elna came in to the Antique Warehouse...is that a good price and is it a worthy addition to our growing collection?

Thanks all!

Joann

Depends...many old Elna's have a bad spot developed from non-use and sitting. A flat spot appears over time on one of the parts inside. If it's in working and good condition, it's worth the price. But, if you have to pay $100 to replace the bad part then maybe not so much. Really, you need to test drive it and see how it stitches before you buy it.

They do sew nice when they work - it may have a roar when it sews - there is a rubber wheel that runs around the inside of the balance wheel - when the machine sets the rubber goes flat - some times the rubber just plain wears out - pricy to fix but it should go a good long time once it is fixed.

I have an Elna Grasshopper and its awesome! Sews perfectly and is comparable to my Featherweight! Go for it!

he brought her home and she has a bit of a growl...good thing he knows how to fix these things....the hard part will be getting him to find the time to do it!

..and it is a Supermatic, not an Elna 1 but apparently still called a grasshopper - she sure is green!

Elna made a supermatic - they do all growl - glad you could rescue that one - I think you will like it once you get it working right.

good for you. Congratulations on your new to you machine.

Funny, first time heard of "grasshopper" I couldn't help but think of the TV show back in the 70's--Kung Fu with David Caradine. Then I realized it was probably green.

LOL - having done some reading on the Supermatic and all the cams available - yet another thing to be on the look out for our collection!...some of the cam patterns are really unique!

Joann