I bought one yesterday for $30 off of CL and it looks almost brand new. They showed me how it worked but it didn't have a needle and the light was out. No problem, I thought. Got home and put in a replacement bulb and the machine won't pick up the bobbing thread and the tension disc seems out of whack. And the feed dog lever is stuck in one postion. It works, but won't go down. Great....my bargain has now turned into a money pit:> Oh well, from what I read, it's an awesome beast and is a wonderful straight stitch machine.

Note to self: Pass on a machine where they can't show you a stitch out! Maybe it's still worth the repair bill, but it was a disappointment.

I don't know the year of my WHITE machine, or the number, but it's a real work horse. My husband can take the whole thing apart, clean and oil it and it works like a charm. There are not very many pieces to it. Not like my new computer one. . .
The repair bill on this machine, really shouldn't be much! :thumbup:

I should mention the previous owner's cat peed on it. Surprise for me whilst cleaning it:< I think I'll name it "Tinkle".

Isn't cat pee a good omen??

I'm sure it you take it to your local repair man for a tune up, all will be well

Did it come with a manual - maybe you threaded the needle the wrong way or the bobbin is in wrong?

Yes, I've got the manual and I believe it's threaded fine. Both service techs oohed and ahhhed over it when hubby dropped it off and commented it was well worth fixing. So....we'll see!

LOL. I hope cat pee is a good omen. Luckily, it seems to have only been christened once.