J Miller

Does the Singer Fashion Mate 257 Sewing Machine have metal or plastic gears inside?

Joey needs to know before he drops the coin on it.

TY

Joe

barny

Joe, my 237 has metal gears in top. If there are some down below, I don't know. I'm not very knowledgeable, but top ones are. That is the 237, not 257. It's a Fashion Mate. I paid 25 for it at a goodwill.

Candace

Nylon gear replacement parts, so I would imagine there are at least 3 nylon gears in it. http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/sin...ine-parts.aspx

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...mb=0Huzd6OgN1o

J Miller

Now that is disgusting. My 338 has all steel gears, yet a 257 has plastic gears. Go figure.

Joe

path49

I think the Fashion Mate 237 is the only one with metal gears. It's a really good, reliable machine (made in Italy) but I've always heard that it's the ONLY good Fashion Mate. A friend of mine has a 237 that she bought new & wouldn't give it up for the world!

bearisgray

I've acquired five of the Singer 237s.

J Miller

path49 and bearisgray,
Thanks for the info.

I'll keep my eyeballs open for a 237 then.

Joe

Blackberry

I got my 237 at a garage sale for $5.00. I was a little skeptical at first because it looked like it had never been used but then I thought $5.00, what the heck. WOW, after sewing on that baby, I really like it so I am sure my $5.00 was well spent.

bearisgray

The Singer 237 Fashionmate is not a 'luxurious' machine - and it's the tan or ivory that replaced the black - and it's a heavy thing (over 30 pounds - I think) - but it sews nicely - and it does a very nice satin stitch.

You might need to get it cleaned, oiled and adjusted - or do it yourself - AND I can sew almost a 'perfect' 1/4 inch seam with the 'all-purpose' presser foot that came with it.

The one thing I can think of that really annoys me about it - the thread spindle - it looks like a birthday cake candle - and is about as sturdy. What was Singer thinking with that thing?