jpete523

PJisChaos,
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience trying to date your Domestic. Coincidentally, I called today to date mine and received a date, 1948, and was asked whether I needed anything else. The lady who helped me was named Rita. Maybe you should call them back. Also, as far as I know these machines were not made in Japan.
Jan

RUSewing

Hopefully, time and maturity will bring some interest. I may follow your lead and do some writing as well. Also thought about calling the historical society that my parents were involved with and donate the oldest one in their memory. What do you think?

HanNatNana

[quote=SewExtreme][quote=HanNatNana]It's very similar to the Juki, also the Pfaff Grand Quilter, Janome 1600P, Babylock etc...the Brother has pin feed which the others don't, afaik.

Actually I contemplated a visit to the US 'if' I decided to get my machine stretched, pre-arrange with Rick at WOW, drop the machine to him, do the tourist bit and when he's finished, jump on a plane back home. At least I would have got something out of it rather than pay all those $$$'s for shipping.

Shipping within Australia is reasonable too, because I bought the Brother on eBay from the west coast (I live on the east coast) and shipping with full insurance was around $65 (from memory) and only took 4 days to get here. It would have taken me 5 days each way to drive and I'd hate to imagine how much for petrol.

Bronwyn ;-)

HanNatNana

I feel a bit the same but my two young DGD's are starting to show an interest in sewing, the 9yo asked me recently to teach her to sew and I guess the 5yo will follow in her footsteps shortly too.

Just how far their sewing interest extends in another thing, but leaving a list with all the machine info is a great idea and something I should do too.

Thanks for raising the subject as I think we all would like our machines to be saved for future generations.

Yesterday I bought another handcrank, this one is a Beale with a homemade wooden cover that apparently has some 1891 newspaper inside. It didn't get any bids on eBay and I was really cheeky and offered $5..didn't have the heart to offer the 99cent starting price. Anyway I'm supposed to pick it up in a couple of hours and it will take me that long to drive there so I better get moving.

Also noticed a treadle with another 'old' Singer on Freecycle, still waiting for a reply...might come home with a car load of vintage machines!!! LOL Oh where does this end???

Have a great weekend everyone

Bronwyn ;-)

:thumbup:

HanNatNana

Definitely won't take up too much room...think of what you are doing for future generations in saving these machines from the dump!! LOL

Bronwyn ;-)

MarieM

Good evening all, I mentioned last Friday that I was calling on a Singer 15-91. I went today to take a look at it, very clean, started right up so I brought her home. Lots of attachments and accessoreis came with it. My question is this. If a machine is running well should it be dismanteled and cleaned or can I just oil her up and give her an exterior clean and shine? Also I know in Billy's lessons he uses brass cleaner on the badge, my new machine has a centenal badge so I didn't know if I should use brass cleaner on it or not. If not what do you recommend?

Thanks for the input and I'll post pictures this weekend.

miriam

I'm very glad DH found the mess and took care of a lot of it before I got home. They did steal all of MY tools and a bunch of sewing machine parts I had in the tool box. They took my Mac too - lost all the pictures of my GKs. The rest was DAMAGE. The insurance paid for all of it.

The Montgomery Ward was driven by a little rubber wheel that rode around the balance wheel - it was a bit brittle and when it got hot it would just spin & not move the machine so needed to be replaced - it's what I didn't know how to fix. The motor wasn't in real great shape either - damage to the case. There is some coolness factor to those though - I called it The Stealth.

You can still find Singer 404's pretty cheap - those are my pick for a kid to learn on. They are a lot like a Singer 301 - they have a drop in bobbin and no carry handle - they are about the same weight and size. Easy to use. They, too have a slant needle so the kid can see what they are doing. There are parts for these.

I sold a REALLY cool machine called a Belaire to my boss a couple years ago. He said his wife almost left him when he brought it home... It was candy apple red and white - looked like a car. He fell in love with it. He uses it to make costumes. Oh and his wife came around after a while and LOVES it. Then, later I found a metalic gray and white just about like the Belaire it was called a Wizard. Those were made in Japan and are a good sturdy machine. Probably came out of the same plant but went to different stores and they put what ever name they wanted on them. I think they might be fun for a kid to sew on. Pretty easy to use. For sure appeal to a guy. Runs like a sewing machine.

Just for laughs, here is the ad I wrote when I sold the gray one:
Vintage late 1950's cream puff
Paint in mint shape
Original two tone dazzling grey and cream paint.
Classic and functional piece of equipment
Rich showcase passion condition
One owner
(Grandma's)
Chrome & heavy metal!
Well-engineered
One foot petal
All original accessories
Custom cover in excellent condition
This machine purrs like the well-crafted piece of machinery it is.
It feels "quality", if you know what I mean.
This machine will definitely be in your "keeper" list.
Would be great in a show just like it is
They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
Runs like a sewing machine...
Meet the Wizard!!!!

Then I had a picture of the machine. Craig's List made me change the ad - thought it was too misleading. Some people have NO sense of humor..........

SewExtremeSeams

Terry, that's a terrific idea. Wouldn't they be honored! :-D

Charlee

Congrats!! I wouldn't use Brasso on a Centenial badge, and I've yet to give one of my machines a kerosene bath. It's not necessary for every old machine. They're all in fine condition and run like tops. :)

miriam

You only need the kerosene bath when you have a bunch of dried up old oil or parts not moving. Some times just oiling it will go a long ways toward making it run smoothly.