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

Candace, jljack, and melinda1962 thank you for your suggestions. No I found that table at an antique mall along with a Singer 319W and a White, both in nice cabinets, for $20 a piece. I rarely, ok never, find bargains but felt like I did that time.

Candace, I love your Elna! Congratulations on such a great find.

Originally Posted by miriam

where is it marked?

This has been posted before, but it's easier to repost than find it. The VN is on the bed, the BF is on the pillar facing the needle.

Originally Posted by Candace

So...I had said I was getting another 2 Elna Supermatics. I'm flying high right now. I got them yesterday. I worked on the first one for 4 hours. It was completely jammed and dirty. Cleaned it and cleaned it some more. I got the jammed fixed and then found out upon starting it up that the friction pulley has been resurfaced so many times it's not even making contact with the handwheel anymore:< It needs a complete new pulley. Because this machine has had a semi rough life and the paint is worn with a broken button, it's going to be a parts machine. Or a "donor" as a nicer term.

The next machine is the same model I already own, but I opened the case and was suprised. What the heck? It was bolted down to the case in the same manner they were shipped to customers in th 50's and 60's. I thought that's strange....why would it be bolted in the box. And then I saw it still had it's original factory stickers on it. I thought, no way this could be a "new" machine as it's filthy. But, I have a brand new 50 year old machine. I am amazed at how it sews and how the motor runs. It's barely been used. I cleaned it up and although it's not pristine, it's probably as close as one can get. I'm thrilled with it.

Candace, wow what luck to find a "brand new 50 year old machine!" That is awesome. Did you purchase those two Elna's off of E-Bay? If so you really got a nice find.

As far as the first Elna, those friction pulley's are not that expensive. I bought one for a White off of E-bay. It wasn't a big deal. As you know you can't just buy the 'tire' you have to buy the whole friction pulley - but, I'd do that for the first machine. I am a problem, I know. I always fix what I can - I don't like making any machine a donor machine! That is my biggest downfall when getting the old machines! I want them up and running with all their parts!

Nancy

Originally Posted by jpete523

Candace, jljack, and melinda1962 thank you for your suggestions. No I found that table at an antique mall along with a Singer 319W and a White, both in nice cabinets, for $20 a piece. I rarely, ok never, find bargains but felt like I did that time.

Jan, it sounds like you make quite a haul. Those tables are hard to find, and you will love using the 319w! My 319w is in a treadle and I just love using that machine! You know the 319w takes a 206x13 needle and the 'L' bobbins. The needles and bobbins are easy to find. Let us know how you like the machine when you get a chance to sew on it!

Nancy

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Candace, wow what luck to find a "brand new 50 year old machine!" That is awesome. Did you purchase those two Elna's off of E-Bay? If so you really got a nice find.

As far as the first Elna, those friction pulley's are not that expensive. I bought one for a White off of E-bay. It wasn't a big deal. As you know you can't just buy the 'tire' you have to buy the whole friction pulley - but, I'd do that for the first machine. I am a problem, I know. I always fix what I can - I don't like making any machine a donor machine! That is my biggest downfall when getting the old machines! I want them up and running with all their parts!

Nancy

Nancy, no I don't buy machines via ebay. These were local. The pulleys are expensive, so I have to disagree there. They run at least $20 plus shipping and to rent a tool etc. I'm looking at about $35 and several hours of work. I'm talking about a part inside the machine that I did a tutorial for. Not a bobbin winding tire. Not worth it for the machine I have. I can't put that kind of money into a machine that wouldn't sell for much more or less. Feasibly it's not worth it!

There are special machines that are worth the money fixing. Especially if you want to keep it and use it. I will keep this "brand new Elna" for sure, but I can't pour money into machines that I don't plan on keeping.

Speaking of Elnas have you seen this one, Nancy? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/hsh/3003633736.html I'm betting it will need the inner pulley resurfaced, but it looks to be in nice shape with lots of discs:>