Originally Posted by
sdhaevrsi
Thank you, Joe.
The thread "Will the REAL 15 clone please stand up" is what I was reading that got me even more puzzled because of the variety of appearance. I only got partway through yesterday, and will continue on to see if there is more explanation there.
Apparently someone new like me would need to see the insides of the machines and know the years/location (Japan) of manufacture to know it was a clone of the 15 and not a lesser machine design?
I'll keep reading, now...
On the first page there is an explanation and a few links - you may need to read the links if you don't understand:
Here are a couple good articles on the Clones if you would like more information.
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/12/...-15-clone.aspx
http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...s-and-60s.html
After working on many many 15 clones they are all pretty much alike on the inside but not
totally. There are slightly different bobbin race holders. The tension is on the side rather than on the front. The tensions may vary wildly. They are still always on the side. There are some older model machines that have tensions on the side front but the 15s are on the side toward the back. The bobbin is always accessed from the side, too. There are other type clones but that is a different discussion. As far as years of manufacture, the clones mainly are after WWII. The Singer 15s are mainly before that.