WOWZA!!! You hit the Jackpot!!!!

The 500, 503 and 401 are very sought after vintage machines. The 500 is nicknamed Rocketeer. There is lots of info on the internet about them and you can probably get free manuals for all of them. I'll have to check to see if I have the links to the manual for the 500.

Join us over in the Vintage Sewing Machine Shop section. You will find it if you scroll down near the bottom of the main page--it's in the Virtual section or here is the link:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1013

Here is a couple of links to read about a couple of the machines that you got:

http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx

http://possumjimandelizabeth.com/xht..._sing500a.html

Wow, what a haul, good going.

Wow--what luck!

I cannot believe he just threw them out.

Is that man NUTS! How utterly disrespectful to some beautiful old machines. It would have been better to just give them away on purpose instead of considering them trash.... :x

WOW - C-O-O-L!!

[quote=ThreadHead]The neighbor down the street had a yard sale for the last two days. He said what he didn't sell was going in the garbage.
Here are the five things my dil went down and pulled from the curb.
I haven't cleaned them up yet, don't even know if they will run.

I wish my neighbor would throw stuff like that to the curb,boy oh boy I sure would cabbage on it as they say.]

Awesome trash picked finds. :thumbup:

The older Singer ones (not the tailor one) should be easy to clean up, oil and grease and maybe see if they run okay. I don't know much about the tailor one and it looks more like it's a newer one that would be more difficult to do maintenance on like my newer machines. I have my Mom's old 403A (takes the black cams) and I got it in good running condition after my sister was going to throw it in the garbage when they moved. She didn't like the way it sewed anymore--just needed a good maintenance with oil and grease and a tension adjustment (both bobbin and upper tensions). It hums now! It's one of my back-ups. Good luck in getting these up and running as they don't make the new ones as nice as the old ones and as easy to maintain.
Also, if you don't have a manual for the 503 I have the book on it (503 Special is the title) that the sewing machine shop gave my Dad when he bought the used 403A. I have since gotten a copy of the 403A instruction book on Ebay. If you PM me with your address I can send it to you. I also have 4 extra cams that it would take: #3 diamonds, #6 crescent, #7 icicle, and #11 ribbon you can have also.

Are you kidding me? There are people begging for machines out there that cannot even afford $20 for one and charitable agencies that are running training programs that would be thrilled to have them, and these are not trashy machines, these are good machines.

Bless you for saving them!!

ThreadHead]The neighbor down the street had a yard sale for the last two days. He said what he didn't sell was going in the garbage.
I haven't cleaned them up yet, don't even know if they will run.

OK, I wiped the 401A down and put oil in every moveable part I could see without taking it apart and doing it right.
I tested--- It makes noise from the inside so I know I have to take it apart and clean it.
The straight stitch works perfect and so does some of the decorative stitches, didn't test all. It doesn't make as much noise after using it, but I will still clean it out. I can't believe it works so good. I tested my Esante with a couple of the same stitches and the Esante didn't make as much noise, and stitches were almost the same.
Might need to keep this one. lol What a dummy he was for trashing them.
Syl

Big, big score!!!

Make sure you oil the machines and lubricate the gears.

I have a 401A which I purchased in 1961. I have used it consistently for the past 50 years and it is still going strong. It was my only machine until this past Christmas. It is still my favorite machine.

The Tiny Tailor is a little cheap machine which I will give to the youngest daughter of my son, she is 6.
The other GD is 10 and she already sews on my Kenmore. The 10 year old has been sewing for a year now. She tried out my Esante one day, sewing a couple of straight lines, she turned to me and gave me this "look" . I said, " what, what's the matter". I thought she did something wrong. She proceeded to argue with me about how I got to use the "good machine" and she got the "older one". I told her if I got a new machine she could have the Esante, and she was ok with that.
Syl

Lucky you.

Wow! What wonderful finds. I learned to sew on a Singer Model 401...just like the one you have pictured. My Momma still has it and uses it. She said it still runs as good as it did when she bought it new years ago!

you are so lucky!!!!

You hit the jackpot! Congratulations! :thumbup: :thumbup:

I gasped when I saw your pictures! How could anyone not save those!!!!

I can't believe he just threw them away. He could have give them
to a thrift store but it is good for you that he didn't. Hope they do
work.

Thats crazy. One man's trash is another man's treasure!!!

that 401 is a beauty- I have one which I purchased new
in 1960 $350.00- it stills works like a dream! Several different repairmen who service it over the years- wanted to buy it from me! This machine made many of my clothes, clother for 6 children and 6 grandchildren plus lots of quilts, curtins, sllipcovers, etc.

It does a perfect satin stitch for machine applique.

I hope this brings you lots of enjoyment too!

Evelyn

Ok, I got the Commander to sew too. That's two down and three to go.

I makes a lot of noise when it sews, so again, I will have to take it apart too and clean and oil it, hopefully it will be better.
Does anyone else have a Commander? AND does the wheel turn backwards on yours? I don't know if that's the way it should be, I've never seen one where the wheel turns backwards and sews forward. lol

WOW!!! Those are beauties!!! :D:D:D

You are so, so lucky. Wish I had neighbors who did that..

you got a good deal there

I wish we had garage sales like that around here!!!!

You've got a great collection here,Let me know which of the Vintage Singers you'd like to sell!!

Great "Curb Shopping"!

I once had the 401A/.////next to last picture. brought back memories.

Some people are just at the right place at the right time! What a find. I hope they all work great, you have quite a collection started.

All I can say is WOW! As the saying goes "one man's trash is another treasure". Boy, that sure is some treasure

Lucky you--good DIL!! :thumbup:

The church's seem to have the sewing machines, just not that many. You DIL did a great job of retrieving them from the curb. So what neighborhood do you live in??? Have fun with them.They all look to be in good condition wish you all the luck with them.......

What a deal. Next time you go to a sale we should all be allowed to go with you. I know you are going to love working with these. Yes, they are most lovely.

Good Golly Grief! Im glad u watched that curb to get them after that nutty man threw them out rather than calling goodwill to pick up.. Have fun with them! I never and i meam never see a machine in yard sale but once at an estate and it was an accident that i found the white fw for $30...so those 401 are great machine as well as the others that u spoke of. Would like to know where in fla you're at, too.

Anyone know????

What do you think they are worth "as is" and
What do you think they would be worth if they were refurbished and in good working order.
They still look good now that I have cleaned them up.
Syl

I have seen them for $25 and on up to $70 per craigslist but im not an expert on pricing though. I did buy an 401a for $40 in case & attachment.

I'd like to know where in Fl you reside also. Because in Myakka City we don't see trash like that on the streets.Enjoy the machines and please keep us updated on whether they work or not.P>S> positive thoughts going your way that they all work just great....Congrats.....