Public service announcement.....keep your manual with your machines. There are so many great older machines (sewing and sergers) on Craigslist, Ebay and such but often times there is not manual included. So, if you ever want to pass on your manchine or want to sell it, please keep your manual with it. You will be doing it's new owner a great service! :wink:

I received an older Pfaff Hobbylock 4870 but I don't know how to run the thing and you guessed it, it didn't come with a manual.

And here's another question. Why don't companies offer access to manuals of their older products? It seems this would be a great customer relations service. Even if it was offered for download for a small fee.

great idea - here is a link for Singer, in case the prior owner did not think like you:
http://www.singerco.com/accessories/instruction-manuals

My family never throws anything away. My parents was given one of those huge machines with the giant roller which was used to iron the linen table clothes, sheets and mens pants (to get the proper crease in them) when she was married in 1950. They also had one of the huge roasters - it was huge, it had its own stand. Both machines had been down in the basement for YEARS! My mother was telling a neighbor that she wanted to get rid of them because all they did was take up space. The neighbor said her church would love it, so when they came to pick them up the guy asked if her if by chance she could tell him how they worked, she said she could do better than that, she still had the instructions books. She even knew where the books were! This happened in 2005. Both items still worked, so the church was thrilled to get them.

She gave me her Singer machine - and yes, she still had the manual too. Which I keep with the machine.

http://www.tradebit.com/filesharing....hobbylock+4870

If you are looking for a manual-

The ironing roller was called a 'mangle.' Some motels still use them.

i have a separate file in my desk for all manuals. and when i leave an appliance in a house i sell, i leave those manuals there

I keep all my manuals in a file cabinet.

If I need to be able to regularly refer to the manual - such as for a sewing machine or a small kitchen appliance - I make a copy (or print one from the manufacturer's website) but always leave the original in the file cabinet with all purchase information.

I've sold old stuff on Craigslist and some buyers have told me, "I called on your ad because you had all the owners manuals."

Boy, I had a 6 month scare when I couldn't find my manual! Tore the house apart to no avail. Quit looking for it and "it" found me! LOL

Here's a link that was recently posted for free Pfaff manuals.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-160911-1.htm

I see that the Hobbylock 4870 is there.

have you been to the Pfaff website?

most large companies have the manuals as a free download.

I remember the ironing mangle! That is what we used to iron Dad's handkerchiefs on and pillowcases, tablecloths, and yes, Dad's T-shirts! But it was fun to use!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I searched and searched on the internet for something like this and couldn't find anything. Many of the sites I found, that had downloads for a cost, I would never want to use my credit card on. I found one that looked okay but they wanted $20+ for the download. I've already downloaded it. :thumbup:

Just contact the company. Other than Singer, many manufacturers will give you a free or low cost copy. Many have them for free on the internet in pdf files.

I recently needed a replacement manual for my Brother. They sent me a free copy (and two weeks later, I finally found my original).

The other advantage is that if you do sell your machine, people are more likely to buy a machine with a manual than without.

I'm looking for a Viking Selectronic 190 manual. Viking does have one for a fee but if anyone has one on pdf that they would want to share, that would be fantastic. Thanks.

I did look there but I didn't find a link. Thankfully, Judy G knew of a link that had been posted on the board. I wish I'd thought of posting here sooner. I've had this machine for more than 6 months and no idea how to use it. I've never used a serger before.