CanadianGirl

There is one at my local thift shop for $20 and I have a 30% off coupon...it works...I should just buy it and get it over with...anyone have one of these? What are your thoughts on this model if you do? It must be all metal parts, it weighs a ton...

DanofNJ

I'm 99% sure that the Fashion Mates had numerous plastic gears. Though they look all metal, they surely are not. I would not, personally, have anything to do with it. It is destined for the land fill. Unfixable!!!

J Miller

If the machine works and is in decent to better shape I'd buy it. They use flat cams and those can be found. Like Dan I prefer the all metal machines and despise plastic gears, but the machines will sew very nicely when properly serviced. Replacement gears can be found if needed. You just have to look for them. Here's one site that carries them:
{ http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/sin...ine-parts.aspx }
Some machines are harder to work on than others, but with patience and perseverance, you can do it.

That's the rub though, most sewing machine mechanics don't want to so they poo poo the machines as "not worth fixing" and then try to sell you a new plastic piece of junque that's all plastic. Go figure.




Dan, I respect you for you knowledge and smarts, but this time I can't agree with you.
Those machines can be fixed, "IF" you want to.

I've done three vertical shaft top gear replacements so far and have one lined up for a total gear replacement surgery. If I can do it, most anyone can. You've just got to want to.

I only do them so I can flip them. 90% of the machines we use for our own projects are all metal.

Joe

J Miller

CanadianGirl,

Might have made one boo boo with what I said above, don't know. The parts source I looked at lists cams for the 247 and I'm not sure it uses them. Might / might not. It also lists cams for the 457 I'm working on and I know it doesn't.

Joe

DanofNJ

Yes, a suppose anything is fixable for a price, and with time, energy and tenacity. My concern is for the budding enthusiast, struggling with replacing plastic gears is very difficult. Many models of Singer, once they especially went to plastic gears, integrated springs and levers that were disengaged once you removed to drive shaft and ancillary shafts related to the zig zag movements, etc. Re-engaging them is so difficult, at least for me, and then getting them timed properly that it becomes a nightmare. I have replaced plastic gears in the past, and though replacing them is doable the secondary issues related to re-engaging spring and timing mechanism was very very difficult. It sounded to me that Canadian Girl was looking for a relatively serviceable machine, so that is why I was so clear in my response.

I do agree with you though, of course, unless there are bent shafts that it can be fixed.. Whether the quality of the machine calls for is another question. Your mileage may vary...

J Miller

Dan,

I missed that part of your meaning. I'll be into the gears and springs and timing issues when I get into that 538 of my wifes.
It's got one gear that really needs repairing, but since it has other issues like you described I'm going to replace them all, then using the factory service manual I'll start from one end and work through it.

For a novice or someone who doesn't want to mess with these things I wouldn't even suggest a Singer with plastic gears.

Joe

miriam

I did buy a Singer Merritt one time. It was cheap plastic and stamped metal. The lady said she took to a shop to be serviced. The shop guy told her it had a broken gear. When I opened it up, the gears were fine. Under the machine was a loose bobbin. The belt was wrapped with that bobbin's thread - so tight the machine wouldn't move. I untangled the mess and the set the machine free. You never know what is wrong with a machine until you actually look.

J Miller

It is my experience that many "repairmen" are really just salesmen for the brand name they are pitching for at the time. So unless they can charge you mega bucks for the fix, they'd rather try to scam you into buying a new one of theirs.

From what I've seen, about 90% of what's wrong with most sewing machines has to do with cleaning and lubing. And anyone who is smart enough to follow a pattern to create something, is smart enough to do the normal maintenance on their machines.

Joe

miriam

Joe, I will have to agree with you on that one.

lowjane

I wandered onto a 247 works great but I need help. The foot pedal is wired in and works perfectly but the knee pedal plugs into the dual receptical. The knee pedal does not work . Anyone have a wiring diagram looks as if it unlessI wire in that knee control it won’t work