So...I had said I was getting another 2 Elna Supermatics. I'm flying high right now. I got them yesterday. I worked on the first one for 4 hours. It was completely jammed and dirty. Cleaned it and cleaned it some more. I got the jammed fixed and then found out upon starting it up that the friction pulley has been resurfaced so many times it's not even making contact with the handwheel anymore:< It needs a complete new pulley. Because this machine has had a semi rough life and the paint is worn with a broken button, it's going to be a parts machine. Or a "donor" as a nicer term.
The next machine is the same model I already own, but I opened the case and was suprised. What the heck? It was bolted down to the case in the same manner they were shipped to customers in th 50's and 60's. I thought that's strange....why would it be bolted in the box. And then I saw it still had it's original factory stickers on it. I thought, no way this could be a "new" machine as it's filthy. I tried the handwheel and it was locked up. I spent all of today fixing it. Here's what I believe happened. The owner used the first, and older, and now donor machine until it needed parts and service. Instead of getting a new pulley they bought a new machine. The machine was delivered( a few nicks and chips in the paint) and they used it maybe 7 or 8 times and broke a needle in it and locked it up. They put it back in the case, locked it in maybe to send to service and either forgot about it or bought another machine. The inside of this machine was pristine, even the belt is still white! I had to disassemble it which unfortunately put a few small gauges in the paint. But, after working on it all day I was finally able to get out about a 3/4" part of a needle that was jammed in the bobbin case area, locking it up. I also had to resurface the pulley drive. But, I have a brand new 50 year old machine. I am amazed at how it sews and how the motor runs. It's barely been used. I cleaned it up and although it's not pristine, it's probably as close as one can get. I'm thrilled with it.