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

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04-27-2011, 01:06 PM

#14771

Miz Johnny

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Lexington, KY

Posts: 1,222

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostn51

Goodmorning from the storm torn south!!! We are still having the severe weather but at least I have power,

From the looks of things, you folks in TN are really in the thick of it. It's been bad here, too, but we can't hold a candle to our neighbor to the south.

We had our students crouched in the hallways today for an hour and a half. That was a long time to have 600 kids on their knees! I was very proud of them, but we had some scared young ones.

I'm hoping this weather pattern ends soon, and that we have something pleasant to replace it. Also hoping everyone out there in the cyber-shop is safe and has electricity!!

04-27-2011, 01:12 PM

#14772

Miz Johnny

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: Lexington, KY

Posts: 1,222

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewbizgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weedwoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2learn

Are all cams machine specific, or are they interchangeable from one cam using machine to another?

I think they are machine specific but some models may use the same cams I'm not sure on that one. Billy would know. My 306k has to have the zz cam in even if I just want to do a straight stitch, don't know why.

In the Singer line, they are somewhat interchangable. There are several machines that use the black cams, and then the later, 60's-70's model machines used white cams. You can use any black cam in a black cam machine, and any white cam in a white cam machine, but you can't use white in black, or vice versa.

Some of the models were made with some basic built-in stitches, and then took cams for extra sts beyond that. Other models were made with NO built in sts, and it took cams to create all the sts. That would be why you need the basic ZZ cam in place to sew a straight st.

This is the basic difference between the 401 and the 403. The machines are identical except that the 401 has some built in sts (hence the big dial button, front and center) and also takes cams, and the 403 has no built in sts, and uses cams for all sts. I believe the 500a and the 503 Rocketeers are the same way-- one has some built-ins and the other has none.

The 306, 319, 328 (and machines in that particular line) and even some of today's modern Singers take a flat cam. The 400 and 500 series machines take the "top hat" cam; and later machines were built to use the "flexi stitch" white cams.
In general, cams are not usable from one brand of machines to another: Elnas have their own type cam, Necchis have theirs, etc.

04-27-2011, 01:29 PM

#14773

quiltdoctor

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: North Texas

Posts: 486

It was priced that because he didn't know what it was worth and wanted someone to make an offer. He insisted it was a real antique.

04-27-2011, 01:32 PM

#14774

Glenn

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Huntsville, AL

Posts: 2,609

Well guys I will busy this week, we got the storm in Huntsville,AL from Billy's area. Tornados all day today. My home is 200 yrs old and lucky for us no damage. We did loose two other trees. Glenn

Tree 150 yr pecan in front porch

[ATTACH=CONFIG]189995[/ATTACH]

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04-27-2011, 01:42 PM

#14775

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostn51

I will try to check in ever so often today since we are having bad storms still. Hopefully I will have electricity...... But I have 30 something PM's to weed through and I have to get some limbs out of my yard when it stops raining.

Billy

Wow Billy, so glad you aren't dealing with a power outage nor a tree in your house! Geeze, these storms have to end soon! Hang in there!

Nancy

Billy, our thoughts and prayers are with you guys!! Hang in there...we are with you in spirit!! We'll hang out in the shop till you get back. :-)
:thumbup: :thumbup:

04-27-2011, 01:45 PM

#14776

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagemotif

Here is a picture of my Graybar that I picked up for free. The machine needs new wiring, which I will never get around to doing. It now sits on my shelf looking pretty, but its real job is a parts machine. I swapped out a couple of rusty parts from it to use on my Two Spools. The second photo is the Graybar plate with take up in the same location as Sew Wishful's machine. The bottom photo is my Two Spools.

The Graybar is nice. I did some research when I was thinking of getting that Graybar. I remember it had the foot pedal that looks like a foot -- like the Wilcox and Gibbs foot pedal, but not as heavy nor big. Anyway, Graybar machines are not real common as Graybar made consumer products, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and yes sewing machines from 1926 until 1934 when the company succumbed to the Depression. That machine is from the actual company and not a badged machine. Graybar started out as Western Electric - then in 1925 split off to become Graybar. After 1934 it became a distribution company and they still exist today.

Just what I learned, I thought it was interesting! I wish now I'd of gotten that Graybar when I had the chance, but hopefully someone did get it to give it a good home!

Nancy

Nancy...when I did some research on my 1917 Western Electric SM, I found out that National made them for Western Electric for only 2 years 1917 & 1918, then Graybar took the model because WE didn't want to continue it. Just another little detail of the history.

04-27-2011, 01:46 PM

#14777

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by sewbizgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_quilts

I have a question: I have a 301A with a serial # of NA 223654. Now I've been to the Singer dating site and I can find out that she was made in Anderson, SC, and between the years of 1951 and 1959 but cannot even begin to figure out how to get to the allotment date. This is because all I've seen so far stops with the A and another letter or the E and another letter serial number. What am I doing wrong and where do I go for more info? Thanks in advance, Chris

There is much less info available on the machines made at the Anderson, South Carolina plant. What I've read is that when it was sold the records weren't kept, like they were in New Jersey and at other plants. I guess we are lucky to have the info we do have...

I found that same thing when I tried to date my 301. No luck.

04-27-2011, 01:48 PM

#14778

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by quilt addict

Quote:

Originally Posted by treadlep

The only information on the machine is the name "richmond", but paperwork with it indicates it was sold by the Charles William Store. The needles with the machine are stamped "B Eldredge", but I have no idea whether a currently manufactured needle might work (seems longer than the average needle).

That is a beautiful machine. It appears to me to be a baged Davis or National made machine. I would start my search there. Good Luck!

See someone already answered.

Looks like it was made by Eldridge/National, right around when they changed names.

04-27-2011, 01:54 PM

#14779

jljack

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW

Posts: 7,940

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

Well guys I will busy this week, we got the storm in Huntsville,AL from Billy's area. Tornados all day today. My home is 200 yrs old and lucky for us no damage. We did loose two other trees. Glenn

Glenn, I am very sorry about your trees!!! Last year my Chinese Elm had the center large limb torn out by wind, and I cried!! I know how you feel. Glad it didn't turn and fall on your house!! Whew...it looks close!