Singer Athena 2000 - Pros & Cons
 

Does anyone know anything about this machine?

I have an apportunity to buy the sewing machine with the cabinet - is it worth getting.
Thanks

I would say it depends on price. This is not one of the more sought after vintage Singers.

I love mine!
Make sure it has the manual, and foot pedal assembley. Those two things took me a year to find. If the manual is missing, I can help you, though. The 2nd thing you should know is that the bobbins for it are not carried at many Joann's, but you can get them around.
ps, it makes a stitch like a little scotty dog! and if that isn't enough, it threads the bobbin right in the case without taking it out or unthreading the needle!

Here's what someone else has to say about it:
http://www.tandtrepair.com/Athena2000.html

Cuz 1975 is not very vintage.

O.K. retro. Sheesh.

It's one of the first electronic machines singer made, so it's probably not really retro either. It was very modern then, and is still better that many machines made in the 80's and 90's.
I ain't mad atcha, just saying . . . it's not widely sought after by vintage collectors right now . . . . so now is the time to buy one if ya want it. In 20 years, it'll be like bakelite!

I bought one when they first came out(1975) and it was a total workhorse. Nothing like the singer one they have now of the same name. All metal machine. Mine needs a new circuit board.
It was and is wonderful machine.

I got mine at an auction for $5 with the carrying case, no cabinet. Someone put the cover on wrong and it wouldn't come off easily so noone knew what it was. I figured that for 5$ what the hey! I have had oodles of fun with is but if the circuit board goes, all bets are off. I would love mine in a cabinet.

piney

Circuit board??? Are they replacable - or not worth it??

The circut boards are replacable.
Whether or not it's worth it - I guess it depends on how much you love the machine before that happens.

I bought this machine on sale in 1982. I sewed with it thousands of hours. Thick to thin, never had any problems. I bought a service contract which came in handy as in the first year the memory board went out. A horrible man destroyed my machine putting me into great sadness. He greased a bearing which than broke. I was talked into trading it in on Necchi which I hated. I than tried Brother than Viking. None compared to this wonderful machine. I was told parts were hard to come by. Would love to have this machine again!!

These are common on our Craigsliat....have you checked there? I am very surprised that the boards are replacable....if they are as someone posted.

The boards were replaceable back when the machine was new and popular. still are IF you could find a good one (doubtful). This is a very old thread.

Cari

I purchased my Athena 2000 in 1975 and a beautiful wood cabinet where part of the top slides down for sewing sleeves, etc. I replaced a circuit board approx. 11 years ago. Machine and cabinet are in great condition. Will consider selling if offer is reasonable.

Hi,

I have had one for for nearly forty years. While I absolutely love my machine, and would buy it again in a heartbeat, something you should know. Mine was fine for many years, but at some point, I was having trouble with it. I brought it in three times for repair, to two or three different places. It would work for a while, but the same problem kept recurring. If I could find a place to truly fix it, I would definitely try again, but I am not sure parts are available for it.

Welcome to QB. Some parts are still available, I don't know specifically which ones. The only repairman I know of who truly loves these machines lives in American Samoa but Terry truly is the slant Singer guru.
http://store.tandtrepair.com/

Cari

I have followed this thread with interest for years. I have an Athena 2000 purchased in 1979. Frankly, I didn't think it sewed a beautiful seam, but I put up with it. In the '90s, it developed a strange sound as I was sewing, and the service tech said it was a typical problem with this machine and that he had adjusted it all he could. I've been storing the machine for years because I just don't know how to get rid of it. I hate to throw it away if someone can use it or any part of it, but neither can I say that it's a good machine. Meanwhile, I have the manual, a booklet titled "Sewing Applications," the accessories box (more or less complete), 24 bobbins, and a Singer embroidery hoop (never opened). Are there suggestions for how I might dispose of these things?