Repair or buy new?
03-09-2015, 03:20 AM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Posts: 52
Repair or buy new?
My mom has an OLD singer sewing machine. She doesn't sew a ton..but would like one handy for when she needs it..and who knows..maybe once she has one that works she would use it more often. Anyway we were talking and she is debating if she should get the one fixed that she has..or if she should just buy a new one.
I know that plenty of you say not to buy a new singer..because they are made pretty cheaply.
The one that she has runs..it just doesn't sew..does that make sense.
She is considering getting it looked at and possibly just getting it fixed. I think that that is what she should do..but I am not an expert on these types of things. My thought is if it runs then it might not cost a ton to get it fixed..and then she will get a great sewing machine because I do know that the old ones are made so much better than the newer ones.
I told her that I would post about it on here because I know that I have gotten great advise on here in the past.
She can't find the model number..but there is a manual and the copyright on it is 1969.
It also says that it is a "touch and sew" dual needle.
I know that plenty of you say not to buy a new singer..because they are made pretty cheaply.
The one that she has runs..it just doesn't sew..does that make sense.
She is considering getting it looked at and possibly just getting it fixed. I think that that is what she should do..but I am not an expert on these types of things. My thought is if it runs then it might not cost a ton to get it fixed..and then she will get a great sewing machine because I do know that the old ones are made so much better than the newer ones.
I told her that I would post about it on here because I know that I have gotten great advise on here in the past.
She can't find the model number..but there is a manual and the copyright on it is 1969.
It also says that it is a "touch and sew" dual needle.
Last edited by usafchick1980; 03-09-2015 at 03:37 AM.
03-09-2015, 04:46 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tennessee, UC area
Posts: 1,584
The motor runs, but the needle doesn't go up and down?? That could be a need for belt replacement..it will be inside the machine and a repairman can fix it for her reasonably. Maybe it is a simple fix.
03-09-2015, 05:04 AM
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 1,040
It just may need a good oiling. I have found that many times when the needle bar will not go up and down a good oiling will fix the problem. Oiling instructions should be in the manual but if you don't have a manual just put a drop or two of oil every where two joints come together but do not oil the gears. That needs a little grease.
03-09-2015, 05:09 AM
#6
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
It runs but doesn't sew can be any number of things. Like mermaid stated, if the needled bar doesn't move it can just need a new belt.
If the needle does go down but it doesn't pick up the bobbin thread that can be anything from as simple as a bad bobbin or needle in wrong to just needing to be re-timed. I say take the vintage machine in and get an estimate for fixing and a complete tune up where the tech will oil and lube her up. A vintage machine like your mom has is a diamond in the rough. Definitely give this great Singer a second lease on life.
If the needle does go down but it doesn't pick up the bobbin thread that can be anything from as simple as a bad bobbin or needle in wrong to just needing to be re-timed. I say take the vintage machine in and get an estimate for fixing and a complete tune up where the tech will oil and lube her up. A vintage machine like your mom has is a diamond in the rough. Definitely give this great Singer a second lease on life.
03-09-2015, 05:09 AM
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
I think it would at least be worth getting a repair estimate. Have you/she read the manual to try to troubleshoot? Does the needle not go up/down like mermaid suggests or is it just not picking up the bobbin thread? Maybe if we know a bit more about the problem we can get it going for you/her.
03-09-2015, 05:17 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: WV
Posts: 582
If it is a touch and sew it may not be worth the repair. The repairmen call them Touch and Throw. We have one here my husband has been fooling with for a couple of months off and on. He says it isn't a real well made machine. That being said if you can get it looked at not for an arm and leg it is probably worth having it evaluated anyway. Maybe she just WANTS a shiny new machine. She's the boss. 
Good luck.
Good luck.
03-09-2015, 05:23 AM
#9
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
The old Touch and Sew Singers, are not (in my opinion) worth fixing. There is no control of the lower tension, the bobbin system is made in a way that the only time you have good stitch quality, is when the bobbin is half full. I know the ladies like the convenience of having the bobbin wound without removing it from the bobbin area, but they just don't have a good stitch quality. There's also a worm gear that gets brittle and breaks, which would cost more to replace than the machine is worth -- which might be the reason it isn't sewing right now.
Last edited by quiltedsunshine; 03-09-2015 at 05:25 AM. Reason: misspelled word
03-09-2015, 05:29 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,967
I agree with the others, it all depends on what Singer era. Some Singers are not worth the repair, they had too much poorly made plastic. Others are so worth the time, they are workhorses. I purchased a touch n sew at a garage sale and tossed it. Check it out online. If you have the manual you can figure it out.
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