Touch and Sew 600E
 

Saw this at thrift store the other day. They want $20.00. Don't know anything about the Touch and Sew except have heard some on this board call them Touch and Throw. What do you all know about the machine and is it a good buy? It has all of it's parts.[ATTACH=CONFIG]406279[/ATTACH]

I don't see how you can go wrong for $20.00 and the manual is free for download from Singer. (You will need it.)
Just make sure the bobbin holder is not broken. Use a magnifying glass and examine all the moving parts of the bobbin holder for cracks or breaks. These are expensive, $37.50 and up online. Pay special attention to the little bar formally known as the "rail guard". This piece is especially fragile and cracks even from normal use. I checked the one in my machine and sure enough it had a crack in the middle. I haven't replaced it is still in tack and appears to function. I found an inspection guide online but can't recall where I found it. I'd Goggle "Singer 600 series bobbin case"
and see what comes up.
I am in the process of resurrecting my mothers Touch & Sew 603E. I believe the 603E is a newer model but the mechanics are basically the same. This is an all metal gear machine and should be considered a heavy duty and reliable machine. The root of the "Touch and toss" reputation is the automatic bobbin winder. I found a lot of chatter about the automatic bobbin winding mechanism. They are apparently a pain to adjust correctly and very fussy. I haven't been able to check anything because the foot control for mine is damaged and needs to be replaced. I found one for $14.95 locally and plan to pick it up later today. It is an imported electronic unit and not the OEM part but should be an improvement over the circa 1950 style foot control originally supplied with the machine. (I have seen a lot of foot switch styles and controls but never anything like this one. It actually looks like a early 50's design, very expensive and somewhat frail. I'd recommend replacing it even if its functional.)

Did you google? Lots of info. out there. Pretty much the nick name "Touch and Throw" stems from the fact that they have nylon and plastic parts that break and they've not got a good reputation at all. I don't know about this specific model, but if it has plastic gears, I'd pass.

I would take it at that price. The 600 is the first of that series and still made with metal gears.

It has all metal parts. I keep one around just for the chain stitch. I used to use it for deco stitching with cams but have a Pfaff 1222E so...
When you buy bobbins it takes the ones with the white lines on them not the black lines; the black ones won't work. I would make sure it will wind a bobbin before you buy it since the bobbins won't fit on an electric stand alone bobbin winder like the Sidewinder.

The 600 and 603 are good all metal machines. They are closely related to the Singer 401 and Singer 500. The biggest problem is the bobbin winder. Get a manual and follow all the directions perfectly. Also use new bobbins or bobbins in perfect condition. I have one that is a very nice machine. Mine will make a chain stitch, too. The stitch selectors are just like a Singer 401 and will be all gummy when you get it. Worth $20 - you bet. Here is a link about how someone finally got their stitch selectors to work: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t216956.html

Mitch's mom - it is good to know about the white line bobbins! Thank you!

I have two 600's and one 600E. One of the 600's is my first machine and still works well. I got the 600E as a spare part machine, but wound up fixing it up. It's a cheaper model than the 600, judging from the quality of the iron castings, but the structure/parts are the same. My first 600 was purchased in '64 for a bit over $300 -- a month's salary. The last two cost me a total of $40, plus had to get a new foot pedal -- these can be rebuilt. I've read a ton about the touch and toss bunk, have no reason to believe it on these models. If the machine's been cared for it will be a good buy. It's really not hard to look at the machine and see if it's had decent maintenance. Nor is it hard to keep it maintained. Hope you get it and enjoy it!

Hi, I have two touch and sew machines, one is a 600 that was given to me and the other is a 626 that I bought new in the early 60's. They both work great although I have replaced plastic gears in the 626 several times but my hubby did it, it wasn't hard. I've never had any issues with the bobbin winding mechanism although it sounds a little noisey. I don't use either of them much anymore as I have two Pfaff's, both older models and they have needle threaders and needle down which I have come to really like.