Buy when the prices are low,..... sell when the prices are high. Didn't I learn that in my econ class years ago? I believe it sounds easier than it actually is.

My newfound obsession...
 

Since I'm new here I thought I'd add some of my recent finds... this all started a couple of months back when I found a light green Singer 221K Featherweight for my wife. I had been picking up vintage typewriters (40 at present count) and enjoy cleaning them up and making them work, so refurbishing the 221K was similar. I've found that while typewriters are fun to work on, sewing machines are much more of a challenge and quite possibly more addicting. I've added a dozen sewing machines to the shelves in the garage, and sometimes it looks like they breed while I'm not looking!

Most of the "newer" machines (Singers 301A, 401A, 66 & 99) only needed cleaning, lubrication and basic adjustment to start sewing... The 3 older Singer "red eyes" and the Pfaff 130 need serious attention cosmetically and mechanically, so they're future projects. The Necchi BF seems to move quite smoothly, but I need to rewire the motor to make sure it sews well. I also picked up a Minnesota Model D with a hand crank, which sews really well and is so quiet, but is in pretty bad cosmetic shape- the paint is chipping and peeling. I might need to paint the Model D, but it will be a shame to lose the decals. Here are a couple of pics of my machines:

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Welcome, John. The machines you've found look like they are in really great condition.... congrats. Yes, we all will agree with you. They do multiply quickly. Fixing up vintage sewing machines is quite a rush. And you've come to the right place..... just beware. This hobby is addictive.

looks like the addiction hasn't gotten too bad yet. You still have room to move and be or:(ganized! (unlike someone else) Welcome! you've got some nice SM's there!

this hobby of ours is really addicting but so fulfilling and rewarding. i am mostly at my element when i am in my garage and working on my machines. currently it's so cold here in california that they are all sitting there at the garage by themselves. can't venture out to check or work on them. i have so many projects in line -

1) refinish my 16-188 cabinet/table, repaint all the black paintings on the cabinet. i already primed painted them.
2) work on my 16-188.
3) refinish my 201-2 cabinet. i already stripped the paint/varnish/stain.
4) clean/oil/check my 28K. fix the wirings. looking for some parts on the knee controller assembly. i have not tested the motor nor the machine yet.
5) i am working on a 15-91. just oiling/cleaning/rewiring motor wires.

and the list goes on and on..... i tell you - once you're hooked, there's no way out.

PS: you've got nice machines out there. for a newbie you've got a serious addiction.

Not all of my six freebies were complete (see have you been good this year thread), and a few weren't working, but surprisingly the Starlet (made in 1982 according to ISMACS) was all metal and not electronic in any way. Very quiet, nice machine. The Pinnock is also lovely to use. Wasn't working at all well when I got it on the bench, but now is like new. It came with a darning foot and of course has a vertical bobbin. I did a successful (albeit amateurish) test embroider on it. Beautiful baby blue (see below) and totally made in Australia in the 1960s. The electrics had been screwed up by someone and the hand crank was warped (it had obviously been dropped on it) which was surprisingly easy to fix (pop it in a vice and go to work with a steel pole).
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The Pinnock 101, straight stitcher
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Singer Starlet, ZZ machine
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Regal Zig-zag. Chromed and beautiful Japanese machine. Long shank.
The Singer 306 had the light wiring cut and really needed a re-wire (which I did) but included a full set of pattern cams! Definitely the best part of that machine. Also missing its bobbin case.
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The Pfaff and Bernina I haven't cleaned up yet. Here are the pics from the ad:
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wow. quite a haul. that will keep you busy for awhile. would love to visit you @manicmike, and would love to watch the australian open. we're a family of tennis nuts (although we don't play a lot and we're not good) but tennis is in our blood. darn - i see your signature, how many machines you got now ???

true and warning - as this hobby is really addicting. i just started by inheriting a 16-188 (for $1) then my machines are growing too. it's so much fun working on antique sewing machines and so amazing to see the engineering and construction of these machines. just so sad that they don't make these anymore. on second thought, if they did then we will have no hobby. :)

I'm going to the open on Monday, actually. We go to the Open every year. Seen some really great tennis.
Not sure how many, but it's probably too many. My database says 23 but there are at least four more in the dark corners of the shed. Trying to get rid of my new ones, except the Bernina and possibly the Pfaff. I'd been wanting to buy a Bernina Record for a while now, and it looks like the machine donors have robbed me of this desire (I'm not complaining). I'll probably clean her and the Pfaff up on Sunday.
The other four are done, as much as I could anyway, and I'm selling some of them very cheaply. Mostly because I promised the ladies they would be used again. The 306 needs a bobbin case to become functional again, and singerlight bits (metal reflector and lens) to become whole again.
Spent Wednesday night and all of Thursday on cleaning. Took a 30 minute break to deliver the Singer 287 (sold it for $35, it's replacing a Janome - hooray!).
Stars must have been correctly aligned on Wednesday. It's a wonderful feeling to make these great things functional and beautiful again.

here are the pics of my new Singer A3

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I have more pictures of the manual but since they are drawings of how to do sutures with this device i will not post them where folks may be squeemish