Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
10-15-2012, 06:04 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Send me a PM with your email and I'll send you a 4 page PDF of abbreviated instructions for the Household. I don't have a full manual only these pages (they were typed out, not a copy of an original manual).
Cathy
Cathy
Originally Posted by pumpkinpatchquilter
Thank you Kathy! I'm curious most as to what dates they were made and what part of the country. The one I'm looking at is not a fiddlebase model and from what I could find on Needlebar it looks to be a later machine. "Later" is relative though to what years the machines were produced! Lol* Does later mean 1890's or does later mean 1930's? Lol* ISMACS shows that they were produced by Provinence Tool Company but I don't know much more than that. Any help is appreciated! 
10-15-2012, 06:13 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 672
I'm afraid that my poor old heart wouldn't have continued beating if I had been the one to hear that this beauty was headed for the dump. Bless you for giving her "rebirth" into a new and better life with you. (sigh) Makes me wonder how they treat their elderly (human) family members!
Originally Posted by jljack
Hi Everyone! I've been away from here for a while, due to access issues with my work computer, but appears I can get back on. Hope everyone is good. I lurk sometimes from home, and I see Charlee has had some health issues. I sent her a PM last night.
Well, I got another old Davis VF1...it's probably 1893. I got it locally, which was amazing!! Not in great shape, but she sews well. The cabinet is damaged, so DH has some work to do. He has it clamped together right now so it won't shake apart when I treadle her. The coffin top is with it (amazingly!), but it's damaged, too, so another repair job. Overall I'm very happy with her...she came with some of her attachments and some needles and some bobbins. She was in the same family for about 85 years, and stored in a hot garage for the last 35 years. I'm glad I got to rescue her...the guy's mother was going to take her to the dump!!
Here's a pic.
Well, I got another old Davis VF1...it's probably 1893. I got it locally, which was amazing!! Not in great shape, but she sews well. The cabinet is damaged, so DH has some work to do. He has it clamped together right now so it won't shake apart when I treadle her. The coffin top is with it (amazingly!), but it's damaged, too, so another repair job. Overall I'm very happy with her...she came with some of her attachments and some needles and some bobbins. She was in the same family for about 85 years, and stored in a hot garage for the last 35 years. I'm glad I got to rescue her...the guy's mother was going to take her to the dump!!
Here's a pic.
10-15-2012, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by Mizkaki
Nancy,
That machine is a Singer and technically that is not a reproduction. It is a modern machine made to look like the old ones. It's "nostalgic".
I do however think you are between the rock and the hard place. This is not a win situation. She will not be happy when she finds out, whether or not she finds out from you or anyone else.
I probably would tell her, as gently as I could. Do remind her that it is a Singer.
cathy
That machine is a Singer and technically that is not a reproduction. It is a modern machine made to look like the old ones. It's "nostalgic".
I do however think you are between the rock and the hard place. This is not a win situation. She will not be happy when she finds out, whether or not she finds out from you or anyone else.
I probably would tell her, as gently as I could. Do remind her that it is a Singer.
cathy
Monica, why to you say the repro's wind a bobbin better? Again just curious, I love to learn new things about these machines!
Miriam, you are right that machine is not a plastic wonder, but what is it made of? I have never picked one up. I've seen a couple treadles at the sewing machine repair shop. To me they looked cheap and were already falling apart. I'd love to really get up close and personal with one of the "nostalgic" machines just to see how well they are made and what they are made out of! Anyone know? Remember when Billy was going to import and sell those machines?
Joe, thank you for the link to the India manufacturer! I sent that link to my girl friend to try to make her feel better. They are very pretty machines!
Pumpkinpatch, yes those machines do exist in hand cranks and in treadles. A very big clue is the color of the decals. The decals are always over the top, kind of gaudy compared to the original decals. A second clue is that there is no serial number on the bed next to the arm of the machine! All the very old Singers had a serial number right where the arm came up from the bed of the machine! If you see a machine with a weird color or different decals and there is a serial number on the bed - it is probably a re-do of a very old machine!
Jean thank you for the compliment, but you have the wrong person! Like all of us, I am learning something new all the time about the vintage and antique machines!
Nancy
10-15-2012, 08:39 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,384
Originally Posted by Mizkaki
Send me a PM with your email and I'll send you a 4 page PDF of abbreviated instructions for the Household. I don't have a full manual only these pages (they were typed out, not a copy of an original manual).
Cathy
Cathy
I am friends with a Kathy so it's force of habit! Nancy - So glad you pointed this out as my Husband is often my "picker".
I think I might get excited if I see one now just to say I SAW it!!
Last edited by pumpkinpatchquilter; 10-15-2012 at 08:42 PM.
10-15-2012, 09:17 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,972
Nancy,
Do you remember when I showed my Singer 15 with the RAF decals in 2010? Back then I was questioning if that was a real Singer or a copy. The machine has a machine plate # of 15BG168.
The machine that your friend has and my machine both look almost the same, just that her machine has those bright decals and her bobbin winder is slightly different. Here is a photo of my machine. My machine has a very nice part to the bobbin winder that helps keep the winder down in place ( silver thing with sliver button top -same as your friends). It was the improved method for the winders. My machine was manufactured 1963 in Taichung Taiwan. Short story I discovered this new improved winder works so much nicer.
Longer story...
At one time I had switched the spoke wheel and bobbin winder on this machine with my other Singer 15 (1946) without a spoke wheel that I have in treadle. That machine got a motorectomy and sat in treadle. At the time of switching, I thought one needed a spoke wheel on the machine to be treadled. It wasn't until reading Sharon's, purplefiends, posts that I learned from her that I could treadle with the the wheel that came with my older Singer 15. So, in the process of using the newer bobbin winder, I discovered how much nicer it worked. Later I switched the winder and wheel back onto the Singer 15 shown in picture so that I could add the HC with those lovely Chinese character that say made in China. Now when I use the Singer 15 in treadle, I pull out this Singer just to use its bobbin winder since it is the better winder.
Do you remember when I showed my Singer 15 with the RAF decals in 2010? Back then I was questioning if that was a real Singer or a copy. The machine has a machine plate # of 15BG168.
The machine that your friend has and my machine both look almost the same, just that her machine has those bright decals and her bobbin winder is slightly different. Here is a photo of my machine. My machine has a very nice part to the bobbin winder that helps keep the winder down in place ( silver thing with sliver button top -same as your friends). It was the improved method for the winders. My machine was manufactured 1963 in Taichung Taiwan. Short story I discovered this new improved winder works so much nicer.
Longer story...
At one time I had switched the spoke wheel and bobbin winder on this machine with my other Singer 15 (1946) without a spoke wheel that I have in treadle. That machine got a motorectomy and sat in treadle. At the time of switching, I thought one needed a spoke wheel on the machine to be treadled. It wasn't until reading Sharon's, purplefiends, posts that I learned from her that I could treadle with the the wheel that came with my older Singer 15. So, in the process of using the newer bobbin winder, I discovered how much nicer it worked. Later I switched the winder and wheel back onto the Singer 15 shown in picture so that I could add the HC with those lovely Chinese character that say made in China. Now when I use the Singer 15 in treadle, I pull out this Singer just to use its bobbin winder since it is the better winder.
Last edited by vintagemotif; 10-15-2012 at 09:26 PM.
10-15-2012, 09:49 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Nancy,
These nostalgic machines are made for Singer, therefore are Singers. However they are nowhere the quality of
those of yesteryear. I said to remind her that its a Singer because the Singer name does tend to make people think/ believe that they have a quality product (even though we know otherwise) and you are trying to let her down gently.
These nostalgic machines are still better than the POS plastic wonders that are today sold in that $100.00 price range.
You asked what they are made of. Cast metal just like the old ones, but not they same quality from what I've seen.
Those that I have seem had castings that were much rougher and chipping and peeling. The paint was bubbly and lifting. AND the decals were very gaudy.
I agree with you on how to spot those nostalgic machines, but don't forget to look for the plastic knob on the bed (feed dog drop). The old black Singers never had a feed dog drop on the bed.
Cathy
These nostalgic machines are made for Singer, therefore are Singers. However they are nowhere the quality of
those of yesteryear. I said to remind her that its a Singer because the Singer name does tend to make people think/ believe that they have a quality product (even though we know otherwise) and you are trying to let her down gently.
These nostalgic machines are still better than the POS plastic wonders that are today sold in that $100.00 price range.
You asked what they are made of. Cast metal just like the old ones, but not they same quality from what I've seen.
Those that I have seem had castings that were much rougher and chipping and peeling. The paint was bubbly and lifting. AND the decals were very gaudy.
I agree with you on how to spot those nostalgic machines, but don't forget to look for the plastic knob on the bed (feed dog drop). The old black Singers never had a feed dog drop on the bed.
Cathy
10-15-2012, 09:53 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Northern CA near Sacramento
Posts: 1,107
Don't worry about the misspelling. I've spent my whole life with people spelling my name with a "K".
My "soon to be" ex's family has never gotten it correct since his first wife was a Kathy with a "K".
My "soon to be" ex's family has never gotten it correct since his first wife was a Kathy with a "K".
Originally Posted by pumpkinpatchquilter
- PM sent, and I apologize for misspelling Cathy!! I am friends with a Kathy so it's force of habit!
I am friends with a Kathy so it's force of habit!
10-16-2012, 02:54 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,384
Originally Posted by Mizkaki
Don't worry about the misspelling. I've spent my whole life with people spelling my name with a "K".
My "soon to be" ex's family has never gotten it correct since his first wife was a Kathy with a "K".
My "soon to be" ex's family has never gotten it correct since his first wife was a Kathy with a "K".
I will not forget again. Those things matter to some degree, don't they? I think they do. Many people over the years have called me Val...but I'm a Valerie. It's a little thing, not a big deal, but if you know me, I'm certainly no Val, lol*, and I have always preferred my full first name. It definitely makes a difference when someone notices or remembers. Silly as it might sound!
10-16-2012, 03:24 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507
Originally Posted by pumpkinpatchquilter
Oh heavens, so sorry to hear it, and you deserve your rightful C!! I will not forget again. Those things matter to some degree, don't they? I think they do. Many people over the years have called me Val...but I'm a Valerie. It's a little thing, not a big deal, but if you know me, I'm certainly no Val, lol*, and I have always preferred my full first name. It definitely makes a difference when someone notices or remembers. Silly as it might sound!
I will not forget again. Those things matter to some degree, don't they? I think they do. Many people over the years have called me Val...but I'm a Valerie. It's a little thing, not a big deal, but if you know me, I'm certainly no Val, lol*, and I have always preferred my full first name. It definitely makes a difference when someone notices or remembers. Silly as it might sound!
10-16-2012, 05:48 AM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by vintagemotif
Nancy,
Do you remember when I showed my Singer 15 with the RAF decals in 2010? Back then I was questioning if that was a real Singer or a copy. The machine has a machine plate # of 15BG168.
The machine that your friend has and my machine both look almost the same, just that her machine has those bright decals and her bobbin winder is slightly different. Here is a photo of my machine. My machine has a very nice part to the bobbin winder that helps keep the winder down in place ( silver thing with sliver button top -same as your friends). It was the improved method for the winders. My machine was manufactured 1963 in Taichung Taiwan. Short story I discovered this new improved winder works so much nicer.
Longer story...
At one time I had switched the spoke wheel and bobbin winder on this machine with my other Singer 15 (1946) without a spoke wheel that I have in treadle. That machine got a motorectomy and sat in treadle. At the time of switching, I thought one needed a spoke wheel on the machine to be treadled. It wasn't until reading Sharon's, purplefiends, posts that I learned from her that I could treadle with the the wheel that came with my older Singer 15. So, in the process of using the newer bobbin winder, I discovered how much nicer it worked. Later I switched the winder and wheel back onto the Singer 15 shown in picture so that I could add the HC with those lovely Chinese character that say made in China. Now when I use the Singer 15 in treadle, I pull out this Singer just to use its bobbin winder since it is the better winder.
Do you remember when I showed my Singer 15 with the RAF decals in 2010? Back then I was questioning if that was a real Singer or a copy. The machine has a machine plate # of 15BG168.
The machine that your friend has and my machine both look almost the same, just that her machine has those bright decals and her bobbin winder is slightly different. Here is a photo of my machine. My machine has a very nice part to the bobbin winder that helps keep the winder down in place ( silver thing with sliver button top -same as your friends). It was the improved method for the winders. My machine was manufactured 1963 in Taichung Taiwan. Short story I discovered this new improved winder works so much nicer.
Longer story...
At one time I had switched the spoke wheel and bobbin winder on this machine with my other Singer 15 (1946) without a spoke wheel that I have in treadle. That machine got a motorectomy and sat in treadle. At the time of switching, I thought one needed a spoke wheel on the machine to be treadled. It wasn't until reading Sharon's, purplefiends, posts that I learned from her that I could treadle with the the wheel that came with my older Singer 15. So, in the process of using the newer bobbin winder, I discovered how much nicer it worked. Later I switched the winder and wheel back onto the Singer 15 shown in picture so that I could add the HC with those lovely Chinese character that say made in China. Now when I use the Singer 15 in treadle, I pull out this Singer just to use its bobbin winder since it is the better winder.
Nancy
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