I wouldn't buy it due to the fact that it is all scratched up. That's the first thing I would look at...for me, it has to look good. The motors and bobbin case for the FW's are very expensive. Everything else can be dealt with very reasonably and you can do it all yourself. I have 4 FW's and have worked on them all and got them up and running. I bought my first one from Ebay and spent a total of $212...that was before I realized I could do better than that on Craigslist and from yard sales, where I purchased the other 3...one for $75, $40, and $30. All came with cases, original accessories and manual. They are out there in great shape and reasonably priced.

If you don't mind the appearance of this machine, and the motor is good and comes with the bobbin case, carrying case, etc, maybe you could made an offer and get it at a lower price. You don't have to take it out to be cleaned, etc, you really can do it all yourself. Good luck!

I sure would buy it and if the out side is "rough" well I'd have it painited my fav color!

I understand that some car painting shops would paint the body for you. And, I believe you can buy the decals, but don't quote me for any of this.

I would buy it fast. My husband deals in refurbishing & painting featherweights. & he would buy one in that condition. So would I. The ugliest one I ever had sewed like a dream, so to me it was gorgeous. There is no such a thing as an ugly featherweight to me.

What is it's birthdate and where was it made? FW's were/are designed as a very simple machine, to maintain and repair. Even I know how to do almost all of it.
Most of the things you listed sound more cosmetic. You can even get replacement decals. Belts are easy. Get Dave McCallum's DVD. It is very good.

No. Don't mean to offend anyone. To each his own. I just don't get the draw of featherweights and vintage machines. But i'm not into antiques of any kind. That's just me. I know many people love them. I'm just not one of them.

The older machines have all metal parts which makes them more durabe,They are easier to maintain, they are made to last, & they make the most beautiful stitches. I have a new computerized machine, but it has plastic parts & the new ones are more expensive to maintain. I only bought this one to Quilt on & thats all. I have a 301 singer & a 201 that will do the same thing. Now I wish I had not jumped so quickly. For quilting you don't need all those features that you would enjoy when you sew clothes & other items. I guess it's to each his own. Have a great day!

Absolutely I'd buy it. Belts are easy to replace, matter of fact so are all the parts to a FW.

If you have or know anyone who has a large freezer, put the open case in the freezer for a few days. Voila! No more odor.

Ive used cat litter, fabreeze, sunshine, etc to get rid of the odor...belt are about $10-15 and the motor about $65 but Billy of lostn51 has decals for them (or did)...may be that it needs cleaning-oiling to get it running just perfectly! See if they would take $75 instead....