Originally Posted by
Sew'hio
Here is my first White.
A late 1940's Model 77, this is the heavy steel cast unit, not the lightweight 77MG mag. alloy cast.
The art deco lines, green color and crinkle finish really speak to me. I love to look at her and she sews great too. I love the sound and feel of turning on the light using the heavy toggle switch just under her arm. The wheel plating is still very nice and feels great in your hand. Independent settings for forward and backward stitch length, and a great little gearshift to throw it in forward or reverse. She has a forward facing bobbin, and a large cover plate that flips up for access. (My fingers are fat, so I still tip her back to change the bobbin.) The bobbin winder makes a nice solid sound when it finishes winding. I really like the knee control in her cabinet, its easier for me to control than a foot pedal. Plus to me, she looks great from every angle.
Her weakness? Well,.. she's a friction drive, so you can forget about going treadling with her. The 65 watt 110v (.7 amp?) friction drive motor works great, just no practical way to treadle. And her dials look very nice but,... they're plastic. I know, you can't tell by looking but the tension, forward, and reverse dials are all plastic. I still think she is a straight-stitch goddess.
A great post war example of a USA machine from Cleveland Ohio.
I have one of these also. It was my mother's and I learned to sew on it back in 1958. I was only 7 years old but became enamored of sewing and still am today. I generally use more sophisticated vintage machines and some modern ones; she's not currently in shape for regular use. My husband thinks I'm nuts, I collect vintage machines to clean up lubricate and use (mostly Kenmores as they're my favorite), but I love this old girl, the 77's are great old machines. She needs some cosmetic work and I need to clean her motor before I use her much, so for now she has oil, I keep her clean and run her periodically just a little bit so she won't freeze up. She's still in the original table and I can envision Mom sitting there, sewing away. She's a wonderful memory of my beloved Mother.