Originally Posted by
IAmCatOwned
I'm so envious of you Kenmore owners who have had your machine forever. I got my Kenmore in 1976. It worked great for many years with light use until someone borrowed it without my authorization, not long after I started quilting. I think I had it back for repair at least 5 times for the tension after that before giving up and trashing the thing. <SIGH>Anyway, I'm going to get a back-up class machine and will likely go with a Janome of some kind, so it's good to know this about Kenmore. I had thought about getting an Activa as a backup, but even used, they are over $500 and I'm thinking I want a mechanical as a backup rather than another computerized machine. I can service those machines as can my sister.</SIGH>
Vintage Singers are a good back up machine, the 301 is very portable only about 17 lbs and have a handle on top, slant needle, all metal gears, virtually indestructible, and very easy to dis assemble tension discs and re assemble. Good space under the arm for quilting,I highly reccommend them and usually can be found on ebay for under $100.
