What needle would this machine take?
 

I saw this: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem...temID=11749003 on GW and wondered what needle it would use.
I'm not going to bid on it, their starting bid is way too high for an incomplete machine, but I'm still curious.

Joe

My MW 15 clone and my one from the 70s both take regular needles. That's a handsome machine, but not for me.

It's a cool looking machine. :)

Hi Joe! I've got that machine! It's made by National. It takes a 1 3/4" length needle. So a 20x1 will work or a Boye 14 or 21. The MW brand is # A85-1222. An Eldredge rotary needle also works.

It REALLY sews nice! If you would decide to bid, make sure it has the bobbin case & bobbins....kinda hard to find & a little pricy! And if it's missing the power cord, it has those bakelite (Chicago or Manhattan?) connectors. It also has that tapered friction pulley that's no longer being made. I'm pretty sure that pulley was only on National machines. It fits a slightly smaller shaft than the ones for a White. You can wrap a layer of tape around the motor shaft & form a taper on the rubber with an emery board.

Mine was my Grandma's & had all the attachments, manual, etc with it. And it was in excellent condition. The cabinet had a few scratches...not bad-looking but I refinished it anyway.

I saw an ebay listing for the attachments. The lady posted a picture of the machine for reference but said she's NOT selling the machine because of the wiring. I didn't need the attachments but I emailed her & asked if she's throwing the machine away anyway could I buy the bakelite connectors. I told her they were VERY hard to find & would pay accordingly. She wouldn't take any money for them...just postage! I DID send her more though. AND she sent me all the parts she could take off easily. So I got the bakelite connectors, an extra bobbin case, bobbins, friction pulley, needle plate, needles, spool pin assembly, etc. She was wonderful!

Joe I have the MW machines it was my mother-in-law's. I call this MW machines a locomotive and mine is made by Eldredge(National I thnk) It takes a 15x1 standard needle and will sew thru anything. Make sure it has bobbins they are a diff size but you can buy them new and I have a source for them.
Skip

Path49 = 20x1
irishrose, Glen = 15x1

Did they do a change in production somewhere maybe?

Joe

[QUOTE=J Miller;5625835]Path49 = 20x1
irishrose, Glen = 15x1

Did they do a change in production somewhere maybe?


I don't know Joe, I just know my MIL bought this machine in the 40's to sew clothes for her twins (my wife and her twin brother) and she used 15x1 needles. Of course knowing my MIL she could have been using the wrong needle but I don't think so she used it until the day she past which was only a couple of years ago and she bought her needle as the singer shop and Wal Mart. I think she has a manual in her stuff I will have to look for it

Skip

It takes a 15x1

Must have been a product line change at some point then.

Joe

Ismacs needle listing also states it is a 15x1 but some do take the 20x1. Must depend on when it was made and what mdle. Mine is the Supreme Reversible Rotary by MW Model 30. Like I say don't know much about this machine but do use it sometimes.
Skip

I wonder which model number the machine on GW is? Like I said, I'm not going to bid on it, but I am curious.
Who knows I might find one locally. Then I just might jump on it.

Joe

I really like the looks of this machine as I said reminds me of a locomotive. I am not much into electrics although I have about 7 of them. Of course I have lots of HC and treadles that I prefer to use. You should be able to find one cheap there were lots of them around.

Skip

Mine is also the MW Supreme Reversible Rotary Model 30....& mine takes a 20x1, Boye 21 or 14, etc. I have a MW needle packet in front of me right now....& like I said their # is A85-1222....& they're 1 3/4" long.

OK...just looked at the back of the packet. There it says "Type A85-1222 are for the following sewing machines: Wards Reversible Rotary EXCEPT for aluminum & open arm models"!!! There's where the difference lies. Your's must be one of those "EXCEPTS", Glenn. I use mine quite a bit (as did Grandma!) & it won't even pick up the bobbin thread with a 15x1! I know for sure mine's not aluminum...it's kinda like lifting a locomotive to even pull it up in it's cabinet!

Pat,

Thanks for the clarification.

I have a few that weigh as much as a locomotive too.

Joe

Pat I have another machine that uses 20x1. May I ask where you get them? I thought since you use the MW machine a lot you might have a good source.

Thanks Skip

I've got two machines that need 20x1 needles too, so I'm interested too.

Joe

Ebay...there's a seller that usually has them in 11s & 14s but they're $9.99 for 3. Search for Singer 20x1...no spaces between 20, x, & 1. This place has them too but usually only in 16s...much better price! http://www.sewingshop.com/singerindu...dles-20x1.aspx

The machines I have that use a 20x1 also sew fine with Boye 21s. My National Reversew (vibrating shuttle) can use 20x1s, Boye 21s, Boye 14s (slightly longer so won't work in SOME machines), or type BB or DD. And I can usually find a better buy on the Boyes or BB/DD (I just bought a pack of 25 BBs for 5.50!) ....also ebay. My Wards machine isn't picky either...they all work in it too. My Reversew can even use Boye 4s which are quite a bit longer but since it's a vibrating shuttle, there's nothing for them to hit...so I guess that's why they work. All the needles I listed are pretty much the same distance to the eye of the needle.

eBay ..... sigh, I was afraid of that. I don't do eBay any more.

Joe

Joe, The link isn't on ebay. It's for a place called the Sewing Shop (or something like that!)
And Cyndi Kitt sells a comparable needle on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/listing/63514524...earch_type=all

Well Now my MW locomotive takes a 20x1 needle. It seems we have two of these machines one an aluminium. My wife and I were the caregivers for her mother and grandmother and they both had this machine. Grandma had the heavy one and MIL had the light one. The one that takes the 15x1 went to my wife's twin brother and the one that takes the 20x1 is now mine. I have not used the MIL in a while(15x1) so that is what I thought I still had. Good thing I found this out now or I would have been shakeing my head when I went to use it.:o Now I have to go get more 20x1 needles. I found a site you can get them for $9.96 for 10. [email protected] You will have to state what size you want in them. This board is great for learning what you have or don't have. Thanks Pat and Joe for bringing this up or I would have been in a world of hurt when trying to sew on the locomotive...

Skip

Skip, [email protected] is an email addy, not a web site. Do you have a URL for the site?

Pat, my bad, I saw the eBay in the first line and didn't even check the link. I've had that link for a while, I do need to order some of those needles.
Better get with the program before they run out.

Joe

Ok Joe try this http://www.sewingshop.com this is the same and the price is the same for 10 needles

Skip

Thanks Skip.

Joe

You are most welcome Joe.

Skip

Thanks for the info!

Don't think I have any National products but out of curiosity does a lowered 15x1 work well?

Sunshinemom--I like your avatar, looks like a Minnesota S made by Davis though a little tough to tell.

Jon

Yes you can cheat the 15x1 down and it works well. I have done it many times. Once you find the right place mark the needle with and etched line so you can do it again