Thread: Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Originally Posted by miriam

The gear looking thing goes on top. It is built in. You either have a motor that fits or you do not have a motor that fits. I like mine to have all the right parts too. I think I would be very irritated with that woman. Glad it was cheap though. The gear no doubt turns just under the bobbin winder if it is the wrong motor. The 503's top gear thing is smaller around than the others.

There is no bobbing winder attached...lol. I'm not mad at her. It was what it was when I bought it :). She is a very nice lady actually and her machines were worth a lot to her and her business. This area that I live in machines go for a pretty fair penny anyway. She lives in a somewhat rural area and owns an alterations shop for years. She started digging out and cleaning up her shops storage in anticipation of sellnig and moving closer to her daughter. Apparently awhile ago this machine was in the "shop" and she knows her OSMG very well and when he repaired something on it (maybe the old motor was broke) he did not have a motor with the extra gear at top for the bobbin winder. She has several 400 and 500 singers and told him not to worry about it because she didn't need the bobbin winder anyway! Of course now she is trying to sell them so it is a problem for buyers.

I look at it like she really LOVED her machines to pieces! hahaha

Originally Posted by nickylsf

Hi, I bought this machine when I was living in France. I looked up the serial number and it is from July 1925. I may have had the motor, but don't really remember. All I used it for before was as a table for my more modern machine. I would like to fix it up and get it running. The most obvious start to me would be a belt. Do you know what I should buy? I have sen them on E-Bay, but with different diameters and lengths. Also, does this model have a name?

Thanks so much!

I think its a model 15-30. I don't know how to answer the rest of your questions. You need to take the plate off thats under the needle, its to use with a buttonhole attachment.

Nice machines, I have a more modern 15-90 that had a motorectomy done and it treadles very nicely.
Sharon W.

Originally Posted by nickylsf

Hi, I bought this machine about 20 years ago when I was living in France. I looked up the serial number and it appears to be from July 1925.

I may have had the motor, but don't really remember. All I used it for before was as a table for my more modern machine.

I would like to fix it up and get it running. My husband will help with the refinishing of the cabinet. It seems to me that the most obvious place to start would be a belt. Do you know what I should buy? I have seen them on E-Bay, but with different diameters and lengths. Also, does this model have a name?

Thanks so much!

Go to Treadleon.net to get information about putting new belts on, and which one to buy.
Your decals are Sphinx, and look really good!!
Here's where to look up your machine by the serial number:
http://www.singerco.com/support/machine-serial-numbers

Billy (resident expert) has 2 tutorials on here about cleaning them. Follow them...be careful when you use to clean the machine so you don't damage the decals.

You have a gem!! :-)

Originally Posted by jtapp9

Originally Posted by miriam

The gear looking thing goes on top. It is built in. You either have a motor that fits or you do not have a motor that fits. I like mine to have all the right parts too. I think I would be very irritated with that woman. Glad it was cheap though. The gear no doubt turns just under the bobbin winder if it is the wrong motor. The 503's top gear thing is smaller around than the others.

There is no bobbing winder attached...lol. I'm not mad at her. It was what it was when I bought it :). She is a very nice lady actually and her machines were worth a lot to her and her business. This area that I live in machines go for a pretty fair penny anyway. She lives in a somewhat rural area and owns an alterations shop for years. She started digging out and cleaning up her shops storage in anticipation of sellnig and moving closer to her daughter. Apparently awhile ago this machine was in the "shop" and she knows her OSMG very well and when he repaired something on it (maybe the old motor was broke) he did not have a motor with the extra gear at top for the bobbin winder. She has several 400 and 500 singers and told him not to worry about it because she didn't need the bobbin winder anyway! Of course now she is trying to sell them so it is a problem for buyers.

I look at it like she really LOVED her machines to pieces! hahaha

ew you need that too then. I have a donor 500 machine and I think the bobbin winder is still there but missing a spring. She has a 401 motor in her right now - I don't know why though.

Originally Posted by nickylsf

Hi, I bought this machine about 20 years ago when I was living in France. I looked up the serial number and it appears to be from July 1925, model "15K".

I may have had the motor, but don't really remember. All I used it for before was as a table for my more modern machine.

I would like to fix it up and get it running. My husband will help with the refinishing of the cabinet. It seems to me that the most obvious place to start would be a belt. Do you know what I should buy? I have seen them on E-Bay, but with different diameters and lengths. Also, does this model have a name?

Thanks so much!

This belt should work fine:
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-LEATHER-BELT-...item45f6400ba0

Sharon is right, take off the plate that is covering the feed dogs. It's either for a buttonholer or a picot hemstitcher. You're also going to want at least a standard straight stitch presser foot.

Originally Posted by Charlee

Originally Posted by nickylsf

Hi, I bought this machine about 20 years ago when I was living in France. I looked up the serial number and it appears to be from July 1925, model "15K".

I may have had the motor, but don't really remember. All I used it for before was as a table for my more modern machine.

I would like to fix it up and get it running. My husband will help with the refinishing of the cabinet. It seems to me that the most obvious place to start would be a belt. Do you know what I should buy? I have seen them on E-Bay, but with different diameters and lengths. Also, does this model have a name?

Thanks so much!

This belt should work fine:
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-LEATHER-BELT-...item45f6400ba0

Sharon is right, take off the plate that is covering the feed dogs. It's either for a buttonholer or a picot hemstitcher. You're also going to want at least a standard straight stitch presser foot.

so that's what the little plate is!!! - *I have one here somewhere...

Nice machine! Too nice not to use.

*I need a button to push that says "I have one here somewhere"

Quick report: went thru Lancaster Pa last nite and stopped for dinner at a huge smogasboard restaurant: all we could find open by the time we recovered from driving in the heat. As we left, started to talk to the waitress and happened to ask if she knew anyone who had sewing machines. She gave me the name of an ex-neighbor who "yard-saled" machines. Well, he wasn't a rube and I had to dicker hard, but I got another 15-91 with an original manual, a case and a 301a (gotta post the id's and pix later on when it cools off) , that isn't the original one, but holds it for now.

IF anyone wants to buy a trailerload of machines and odd stuff he is willing to sell, but he wants around $15,000...he has toys, smaller singers, 3 pinkers I saw, about 6 or 7 FW's that looked in really nice shape, etc. I didn't even look at his treadles because we have no room for one to carry from this far from home!

Anyway, I asked if he wanted me to post an email address, he doesn't have one but said I could PM his telephone number to anyone interested so folks.....I will do so!!!

Originally Posted by miriam

Originally Posted by Charlee

Originally Posted by nickylsf

Hi, I bought this machine about 20 years ago when I was living in France. I looked up the serial number and it appears to be from July 1925, model "15K".

I may have had the motor, but don't really remember. All I used it for before was as a table for my more modern machine.

I would like to fix it up and get it running. My husband will help with the refinishing of the cabinet. It seems to me that the most obvious place to start would be a belt. Do you know what I should buy? I have seen them on E-Bay, but with different diameters and lengths. Also, does this model have a name?

Thanks so much!

This belt should work fine:
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-LEATHER-BELT-...item45f6400ba0

Sharon is right, take off the plate that is covering the feed dogs. It's either for a buttonholer or a picot hemstitcher. You're also going to want at least a standard straight stitch presser foot.

so that's what the little plate is!!! - *I have one here somewhere...

Nice machine! Too nice not to use.

*I need a button to push that says "I have one here somewhere"

You guys are so helpful!! I love the Board. As If I didn't have enough on my plate. Here comes a new tangent, I can feel it.

For fifteen years I had an old Singer in a bentwood case. I bought it for $10 at an antique shop in Waynesville, Ohio. It came with a key but I lost it. So curiosity got the better of me and I found a key on Ebay.

Inside was a 99 including the knee lever. I am so glad I finally found out what I have. :)

Melinda, you really got a good deal at that sale. Good for you.