redpurselady

I would like to get input from all you vintage machine connoisseurs out there.

I recently got a 1924 motorized portable Red Eye and sent her off to Billy’s to get the royal spa treatment. I love Red Eyes just because I think the decals are so beautiful. Anyway, my intent was for Billy to get her all clean, rust free, and ready to sew. After he tried her out, it turns out that the motor is shot and I will have to consider the following options to make her “sew-ready”. I can’t seem to make a decision so after consulting with Billy, we thought it might be fun to have a poll going. Here are the options Billy has offered:

I can turn it into a Handcrank and that will save you a considerable amount and add to the value of the machine.

The second scenario would be to put an aftermarket motor on her and then I can wire everything in like you want. I do have a motor off of a 99K that has the light and foot pedal wired into it. It would work on your machine but I would have to change the light out to yours (I have to rewire yours anyway) and add the FW style pedal.

Then the last one I like is put it in a treadle and call it a day. You can change the heads out to what ever you want and just have one treadle.

I am having a really hard time making a decision. I already have a treadle and I still have not sewn on her so that eliminates that choice for me. My original intent was to be able to sew on the Red Eye. If that is the case, do I put a brand new motor in that would probably last longer or do I stay with the more vintage motor? Handcrank is an interesting option just because of the collector value, but I don’t see myself sewing very much on the machine if it’s a handcrank. Do I want to showcase this machine or am I really going use her to sew? I guess that is the decisive question and the one that has me stumped.

So, what do you think I should do?

FYI, I have a Bernina (my workhorse), a modern Kenmore (which I hardly use), 1956 Featherweight (used for classes) Singer 27 1905 treadle (received as a gift and have not yet used), 1949 Singer 128 and a 1971 Montgomery Ward.