I am helping a friend clean out her families house that has been in the family since the 1800's She has a old Singer machine with the cabinet that she said I could have. She said the machine works but my concern is it still has the old type cloth cord on it. The wiring looks ok from what I can tell. I noticed some of you are buying old machines so I was wondering if you had your machine rewired or if you used it with the old wiring.

The electrical is one of the first things that should be refurbished in an old machine...the electrical cord that is, it can be dangerous...it does not take much to have it replaced to today's standards if you want to use the machine. Examine it closely, usually they are dry and flaking due to age and the type of covering (cloth like) they used in the olden days...you don't want to start a fire in your house!
Michelle

Sounds like a neat machine though.

Any electrical antique, I would not bring into my home without having it rewired. It's too dangerous. Too much of a fire hazard!

And yes, sometimes you might say, oh I'll never use it ... though there's always that one time someone plugs it in, just to see. So, you're not rewiring ... cut the cord, so there's no chance of it being plugged in.

I agree with all of the above, although actually the cloth covered cord can sometimes be in better shape than the rubber-covered cord on machines from the late 40's/early 50's.

New cord, foot control and motor will run you about $70-80 - I buy all my stuff from Jenny at sew-classic.com If the machine is a 15-91 or a 201, it will have a motor that can't be replaced with a modern repro, but she will clean and re-wire it and replace the brushes for about $75. (and if it's either one of those machines, the total cost of repair and replacement is well worth it! They are awesome machines!!!! :) )

Have fun with your new baby and be sure to post pictures when you get it. Vintage machines can be a huge amount of fun to work on - refurbishing them becomes a fascinating hobby in itself. It's surprisingly easy to learn and easy to become addicted to it.

sounds great !

Thanks for the advice. I will look at it closer to see how much wiring it actually has. I know an electrician who could do it for me I'm sure. Not sure when I will get it to my house. You know how hard it is to get men to move something. I will post some pictures when I do get it.