Will the Real 15 clone please stand up
 

You are invited to post a picture of your Singer 15 or a 15 clone here. If what you post is not a 15 clone that is ok maybe someone will help you figure it out. Maybe you would just like to contribute the badge name of your 15 clone and tell a bit about it.

These mostly can be identified by the tension on the face plate of the machine. The machines can vary WILDLY or be similar but with a different name.

A bit of info...
Although not really collectable, the "clones" can be very serviceable simple to use machines.
They beat the bargain machines sold at discount stores. Here's why...
inexpensive
Full reverse capabilities
Adjustable presser foot pressure
Feed dogs drop
Class 15 bobbin, side loading, oscillating hook
Uses standard home sewing machine needles
they have more powerful motors so can sew faster and have better piercing ability
(amperage rated motors (1 to 1.5 amps)
all metal parts
common, easy to find, low shank accessories fit them
parts are available for repairs
great for free motion
hems your jeans
easy to see the needle - the tension is around the corner
if it wears out you can easily find another one like it but most likely you'll be dead first
The clones can be easily rewired

Here are a couple good articles on the Clones if you would like more information.
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/12/...-15-clone.aspx
http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...s-and-60s.html

Can't wait to see more posts. I have a 15-91, but haven't come across any clones since I've been looking.

Here is a picture of Gretel, my Singer 15-30 from 1915 with it's Tiffany (Gingerbread) Decals and of my newest, which looks like a 15 clone to me. It's a White Model 65 but it is also labeled J-A15 near the serial number. When I called about the date I was told it was made somewhere between 1958 and 1960. I saw it just 2 days ago and loved the blue and white - it sews really quiet and nice. (Gretel does too!) No name yet for the new machine.

Here are two of mine.

Butterfly, a really pretty clone. She's one of the vintage machines I'd like to sell, but way too heavy to ship.

Some really beautiful machines. :)

This is mine. Made in Japan. Love the color and fancy faceplate. It was bought around 1953. It says "ElectroGrand Deluxe Precision"

This is my 15 singer I don't have any clones.
Maybe paid $15.00 for her about 20 years ago.
She still sews like a dream. Shes a centennial.

Here are mine.

Pat

My International, found it by the side of the road for $20.00, it runs great but the case needs a little TLC.

The Fiatelli made in Japan

Here are my 15s.

I have that Commander. Great little machine. My first. Given to me by my great aunt when I was 8. about 35 years ago. I've sewed so much denim and leather on it. still sews great. cant kill those machines.

WOW there are a lot of different machines! Keep 'em comin'!!!
The prices vary wildly too - here are a couple examples - none of these are mine though.
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/atq/2650374774.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/atq/2676259980.html
http://muncie.craigslist.org/hsh/2667279841.html

Wow, those first two prices are high. I paid $15 for mine. I do notice Craigslisters often are way off on value of things! Usually on the high end.

Wow! Gretel - the 15-30 with the Tiffany decals, was $20 on CL and the White was $13.99 at a Goodwill store.

For what ever reason these have not caught on like the FW or the Singer 301 - they are a good all around machine. They are easy to work on and you can get parts. Yes there are people trying to get a couple hundred for one - but then you can pick them up for $30 or $40 in fantastic shape - from what I've seen in the $15 range they probably need something worked on. Check the wires to make sure they are not cracked or exposed.

OMG How could anybody up there pass up that Coronado machine? That is the most retro thing I have ever seen. Cool.

This is my 15 clone that I bought on ebay last year. After I saw Startlite/Jan's post of a similar Compac machine, I started watching ebay, CL, and local sales for a similar machine. I only bought it because I love the color, but it turns out I also enjoy sewing on it and have completed one top using this machine.

Darren

I wish i was closer...

This is Tillie. I believe she's a clone from the look of her. She's a Kenmore. Tillie is a rescue machine. My son saved her when she was on her way to a dumpster. She likes her new home and gives me trouble-free sewing pleasure.

Miriam, I've been trying to PM you back but the board won't cooperate. I've tried twice to no avail so I'll try again later.

Well darn. Photos won't upload, and spent over 15 minutes trying, so can't edit original. More bugs to work on.

My Riccar 310B is a 15 clone. Love the pea soup green! It always reminds me of Grandad's old Chevy.

I have one like valleyquiltermo. Mine is a 15-91 named Fusi. Found her at a garage sale. Love to sew with her, but she is heavy -- like me!

I now have 2 15s and 1 clone, so will post pics after I get them cleaned up and presentable!! They are all 3 in need of cleaning. Another week, maybe. I love all these girls!!!

RANT WARNING....
You know whether it is free, $15, $30 or $150 and all slicked up and in good working condition with new wiring doesn't really matter - some of you would pay a whole bunch more money for a brand new machine that won't hold up near as well as one of these. Just the fact that they are still around and in working order should tell you a lot. These are environmentally friendly - not going to a land fill in a couple years. I bet if you adjust for inflation people were spending a whole lot more money for them when they were new. I've not seen real many free or $15 machines in pristine condition. I've seen some real nice worked over machines for $150 or less - what a bargain - a worked over machine for $150. You can't buy a $15 machine and take it anywhere and have it worked over. End of Rant

very nice Riccar - 'Runs like a Sewing Machine'

Here is a picture of my model 15 clone. I bought it because of the color. I have another one almost like this one that is a butter cream color. I hope the picture comes through--it failed the last 2 times I've tried.

Nope....it didn't work :thumbdown:

This new format wants you to resize your picture - I couldn't do it either.

Well, I tried again by taking pictures with my other camera that uses less pixels and it worked on the thread where you can test putting pictures. Let's see if it works now :rolleyes:

The picture should be of my 15 clone....a Brother in a delicious aqua/turquoise color. I bought it just because I wanted one this color :o plus, after buying an Atlas (also a Brother) from Billy, I fell in love with the vintage clones and all of their wonderful colors.

Here is my Sew Eze...a true 15 Clone. Still working on the tension assembly...it seems "off" somehow. The little wire is wrong, and it keeps catching the thread coming down from the take up arm. But she'll be a real prize as soon as I can get that worked out.

I had that same problem - here is a link might help - look at 'tension mechanism' http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...achine_manual/ I just ordered a spring from sew-classic for .79 - can't beat that.

Love that color!!!

The manual is not real clear how to thread the tension. Maybe someone will post a picture of how that tension should be threaded correctly. Please use string or something that will show up real nice. Be sure to put the needle in the machine the correct way too. (ask me how I know)

Here are a couple of pics of how your tension might need to be. I haven't actually sewn with this machine yet but this is how it came to me. It looks like the little wire is over on the other side of the tensioner. Maybe yours is on the wrong side.

ETA: Now that I look at mine, so closely, it looks like my little wire is upside down!! I'll have to see if I have the manual to mine

yes it needs tension attention. Here is the best link I have found on tension repairs. http://www.tfsr.org/pub/technical_in...echanism_2.pdf

The spring should be on the other side. Thread goes around the tension, through the spring and around the bar to the take up lever and back down.

I have another clone that I am needing to get the tension fixed. It came with out a tension. I tried to cobble something together out of spare parts. I'm wondering how that little pin in the center of the tension really goes, inside the mess and out the back or in the back through the tension. Which end of the pin goes out? Which end goes in? Doesn't the little pin hit the take up lever and activate the tension. Mine doesn't move at all. So I keep taking it apart and putting it together a different way. I haven't done the math yet but there must really be a lot of combinations how that thing could go. One day it will work. I got the machine to work with a different nose plate though - so I know it is something I'm not getting right. Usually I can put a tension together no problem - specially if I see it come apart, lay the pieces out in some kind of order and re-assemble in the same order. Getting the tension spring in right can be a trick and that pin going right - I do know you have to have one. That was one areal where the manual assumes I know more than I do. A lot of it is fiddling with it until it works.

my first clone!
 

I think this is a clone 15, but not sure! All that needs to be done is it needs a new cord. Otherwise it is beautiful! It is an Eau Claire De Luxe. The numbers on the front bottom say E5621727 with an M circled. If anyone can give me some information on it that would be great. Thank you.

Looks like a clone to me - who knows when it was made. probably a little later one because it isn't black. Don't you just love the color? I love the way those do FM