Lol, I figured that was what you meant. ;) I'm not sure about negotiating, she's already said she's firm on the price.

Thanks, Tammi! :) Funny you should mention the 15-90... I got the pics and it has a belt, but otherwise looks just like a 15-91. That means it's a 90, yes? I am considering it, but for some reason I feel partial to the gear-driven machines... not sure why, I guess they just seem... sturdier?

More than likely, yes. Assuming it's how it came from the factory. There's nothing to say that someone didn't add a motor to a former hand crank, etc. If it has a solid wheel (not spoked) it's likely original and a 15-90.

The thing about the gear drives is that one of the gears isn't easy to get, and it's fiber, so it can get brittle with age (if not lubed properly often enough, etc) and can break. With a belted one, the belt slips first.

I personally will take either, and have both. I have a 201-3 and a 201-2, the same differences - the -3 is belted and the -2 is the potted motor. Functionally, for my purposes, there are no differences, but the motor on the belted one is a smidge easier to take care of. (Wait til you have to turn the machine on its front to lube the worm gear on the potted motor. Ugh. Yeah, I'm a wimp. :D)

Is 75 dollars a good deal for a 90? It does come with a bentwood case, and I have asked her if it comes with anything else and if it's been serviced, just waiting for a response. It doesn't look like it has a spoked wheel, but it's hard to tell from the pictures. Can the belts be bought at places like Fabricland or vac n sews or would I need to order them online?

Here's the pics of the machine. Anyone know what the M.R. stands for?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]423251[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]423259[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]423260[/ATTACH]

The wheel is a solid wheel, the spoked wheel is chrome and larger. It stands out ;)
Being about a late forties early fifies machine, I'd believe it's an original 15-90.
How do I know its age? That blue decal is a Centennial badge. It was produced in 1951 for their 100th anniversary. The badge went on machines as they left the factories, so sometimes it was "old" stock, like my 1948 15-90 that's a Centennial model, or sometimes it was a 1951 model, like the 66 godzilla I have here. Never on a newer model though, they thought it wouldn't sell if people thought the machine was "last year's" model.

I knew at one time what the M.R. meant, but I draw a complete blank. I'm sure someone else will know though.
I do know it's uncommon.

Edit: Found it: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stor...collection-242


I would probably pay $75 for it. It's worth asking if they're negotiable, but for a Centennial with pretty clean decals, only needing some clean up and oiling, assuming that the wiring isn't crunchy or melted or gooey, it's a fair price in most parts of Canada.

As for belts, PM or email me. Since you're in Canada, I can help you out. FL won't have belts, and don't buy anything there if it's not on sale. Vac and sew might have them for you, I think the belt is a 193077 for an actual Singer part number, but most shops are going to want about $20 for that belt.

The bentwood case will love you for a little Howard's Feed'n'Wax

[QUOTE=lemonswade;6169040]Is 75 dollars a good deal for a 90? It does come with a bentwood case, and I have asked her if it comes with anything else and if it's been serviced, just waiting for a response. It doesn't look like it has a spoked wheel, but it's hard to tell from the pictures. Can the belts be bought at places like Fabricland or vac n sews or would I need to order them online?

Here's the pics of the machine. Anyone know what the M.R. stands for?

Hi,

Good deal, the full sized Singer bentwood cases alone sell for more than $75 on ebay. The 15-90 weighs around 32lbs and is quite heavy so it's not easily portable. My guess on the MR is that it was a previous owners initials. Good Luck.

Jon

Thanks, Tammi. I asked her when I can take a look at it, waiting for the response.

There is another machine on craigslist that I'm pretty sure is from the same seller: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...914435302.html. I asked them if it's a vertical or horizontal bobbin and they said "has a class 15 bobbin so it is horizontal", but is it the case that all class 15's are horizontal?

Anyone know anything about this machine? Any good for FMQ? It is more in my price range...

I've not loved the 15 clones I've had for FMQing, yet my true 15 is wonderful at it. So, I've found new homes for most of my 15 clones. I would suggest you bring a quilt sandwich to try it out and see... It should be a vertical bobbin. It's a clone of the 15, so a clone of the vertical bobbin assembly. Maybe the seller got her vertical and horizontal mixed up like others do. hehehehe:> For only a few $ more, I'd stick with the Singer 15.

The Necchi you are looking at is one of the favorite machines for FMQ. It is heavy, but very well made. I don't think you will be sorry, and that looks like a good one. Many people swear by it's fmq abilities.

I also urge you to look into a Singer 301. I have quite a few machines, including one Necchi Super Nova, and the 301 is my all-time favorite machine for fmq (and piecing, and straight-line quilting). Compared to the Necchi, the 301 is bulletproof. There is nothing wrong with the Necchi, it's just that the Singer 301 is as close to perfect as you will ever find for fmq. It's basically trouble free, and easy to operate. And yes, the Singer 15s and Model 15 clones are good, but I still prefer the 301.

You can maintain a 301 yourself, but probably not a Necchi unless you have additional training or experience. I recently took a Necchi apart for servicing (I have the training) - it had concrete dust in it - and it was not the easy job that the 301 is.

As noted in the link above, Jon, "The other unique feature that this machine has is the not-often-seen "M.R." decal under the badge and on the rear of the arm. The "M.R." trademark indicates this 221 was being produced for the Mexican/ South American market. It may have been assembled in Canada as it was found in Canada with a St. John's NB " marked motor." http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stor...collection-242

I don't know about the machine, but yes, it would be vertical. Almost all of the -non-Singer- machines with that slide plate on the left will be a vertical bobbin. (All of the ones I've seen, but I know there's going to be an exception because I've said that publicly ;) )

Honestly, at the end of the day, $25 difference amortized over how many years you plan on using it? Same as I said about the darning feet, get the one that's going to do the best job for you. $50 will always be more in the budget than $75, but at the same time, if you decide down the road you want the $75 one, assuming it's still available for that price, now you've spent $125, and have to try to get rid of the one you don't want.