White Family Rotary Treadle
 

I found this machine and cabinet in a thrift store. The cabinet is in good condition except one drawer wouldn't open but I didn't want to try to force it to open. The decals are in good shape as is the machine. It needs a new belt. It works if you hand turn it but the treadle doesn't work. The belt is extremely stretched out so I'm guessing that's the reason. I would love to have this machine but wanted your guys opinions. The price is $125. Doesn't come with a manual. And I have had some difficulty finding information on white machines. Do you guys think the price is fair? Posting photos but it may be in two post[ATTACH=CONFIG]534379[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]534380[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]534381[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]534381[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]534381[/ATTACH]

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Serial # is either 139002 or 134002

It looks nice, decals are very fine. Is this cleaned condition or does it clean up any further? The price is not unreasonable, but if you plan to use the machine you need the missing parts, and it adds to the cost and I'm not sure how common this machine is. Anything can be done with enought time, patience and money, but a complete machine with all it's parts are easier.

Even if you can't get it working, it would make a lovely conversation piece. Price isn't too bad. Ask them if they will take less. Things are often negotiable in thrift stores.

That's the price I got them down to. The asking price was $175. The thrift store is one that people rent out booths. Theady that has it in her booth knows nothing about it other than it was her grandmother's. I know parts for white machine are harder to come by than other brands. I am a complete novice at this but my husband has a very "machanical" type mind and can fix just about anything. I'm going to call the number I found for white to see if I can get more info on the machine. That way I can at least have an idea how much replacement parts would be. It could be cleaned up some more. The owner of it said she would take the $125 through today. After today it would go back to it's original price. She just brought it to the store Saturday.

The good news, Whites are second to Singer in parts availablity- EXCEPT if you need the long shuttle for a VS machine - those are spendy!

But with the Rotary- this was White's main machine, and though they made changes with the newer ones (that plate you need is different between older and newer).

I'm pretty sure this one will also take "singer" size needles, but I'm not positive on that one. I know the early Whites took a much longer needle, but don't know if that was the same for both the VS and the Rotary, or only the VS machines.

Does it come with the bobbin case and any bobbins? While they are not hard to get, it does add to the cost.

If this machine was "whole", $125 is a great price. If it's got the bobbin case, then I'd still be OK with the price.

But then, I already have all the missing parts on hand, so I'd not need to spend anything more to get them.

I think Macybaby nailed it. I think the price is fair. Other than the missing parts everything seems to be in good shape.
If you get it, just remember the hand wheel turns away from you, opposite Singer's direction.
I like the old Whites. The quality is every bit as good as Singer's.
Rodney

I have that same machine, the price is fair and I did replace some parts on it for better looking parts, I got them off of ebay when someone parted out a machine. There are tons of those around our area, so I don't think finding the parts would be a big problem, like someone said they were second to Singer and made tons of machines. Mine works just fine and is a good machine. Figure out the parts you would need and then look for a seller that does vintage machines to get parts from.

That is an earlier one than mine, or a more deluxe model. The cabinet will finish beautifully. You need the slide plate that is usually missing. I have seen them on Ebay for $15 aprox. Hurry because they are getting harder to find. The decals look pretty good for its age because White decals didn't seem to last as well as Singer's. It is a good machine mechanically to work on. $ 125 is a fair price, if it sews and if not then renegotiate.