The Singer 500 will work just fine without the door cover parts prone to break or get lost - this one will still thread and the light works - it just looks odd because it is missing the doors. Some times it is the hinges on the top - the nose door top hole breaks - my BIL uses JB Weld and a rivet - works fine. I think that machine is still worth the money if it sews. They do gum up inside and they do need some care to keep in top condition. Well worth the effort. The only thing better is a 503 or a 403 - they HAVE to use the disks for all decorative stitches. Oh this one is Dorthy the Donor - she has a special place in my shop - I have fixed lots of machines thanks to DD - and no she won't sew ever again. Tis a pity. Her top door is pretty dinged up and maybe missing some stuff... I don't know. With the right paint it might work for some Singer 500... Her nose door is adorning a different machine.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]366684[/ATTACH]
Last edited by miriam; 09-30-2012 at 05:37 PM.