Someone offered me a featherweight...
10-10-2012, 01:14 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Spring Hill, Tennesee
Posts: 497
There is one at the pawn shop in Franklin, TN you can buy for $200. By the smell, we must assume it doesn't smell like mildew. Most of them do, unless they have been used a lot. The FW expert, Fred, from Florida says to put 1/2 of a bar of Safeguard soap (in the box) inside the case. I tried it and it works. Change the Safeguard every year on your birthday to keep the fresh scent Sure smells better. Don't let the soap touch any of the contents or metal though. I spent more than an hour with them at Paducah, learning about FWs and it was time well spent.
Some QB members have purchased on Ebay for around $100 in special circumstances according to their posts. FWs aren't as high as they once were. I have one and prefer my 301 as it is not as tempremental as the FW. It is heavier though even if it is aluminum. It all depends what you like. Keep looking ,or drive a hard bargain.
Some QB members have purchased on Ebay for around $100 in special circumstances according to their posts. FWs aren't as high as they once were. I have one and prefer my 301 as it is not as tempremental as the FW. It is heavier though even if it is aluminum. It all depends what you like. Keep looking ,or drive a hard bargain.
10-11-2012, 05:31 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Some where in way out West Texas
Posts: 3,041
Buy it and enjoy it. I have two and love them. I have made the tops to several quilts on mine. I just oil it after a day's sewing on it, and keep going. They are so easy to maintain. I bought my first one on Ebay, and was very forunate that the seller packed it well. I too was hesitant about buying there, but I truly wanted one so I took the plunge.
When you get it and start using your little gem, you will wonder why you waited so long to buy one. I haven't found mine to be tempermental, but machines are like people I guess they are all a little different.
One quick reminder, A couple of times I have had thread to catch in the bobbin case area, and have had to take that section apart. There is a tiny and I mean tiny screw that holds the bobbin section together. I have a small plastic cup like those on the top of cough syrup or dayquil bottles that I keep in my case just for this tiny screw, to keep from losing it. I also place my featherweights on a towel when I get ready to service them, and this helps to keep the screws from rolling off of the table.
I am not advertising for this individual, but I purchased the book (in black and white) titled "The Featherweight 221 and I" by David McCallum, it is the best purchase I ever made I think. The book is fully illustrated and every time I need to do any thing to my babies, I drag this book out. (I took it apart put the pages in plastic sleeves and put it all in a 3 ring binder, along with all other books or notes on Featherweights. I have manuals for mine, but this book is much better I think. A good site is Featherweight RX.
Have fun.
When you get it and start using your little gem, you will wonder why you waited so long to buy one. I haven't found mine to be tempermental, but machines are like people I guess they are all a little different.
One quick reminder, A couple of times I have had thread to catch in the bobbin case area, and have had to take that section apart. There is a tiny and I mean tiny screw that holds the bobbin section together. I have a small plastic cup like those on the top of cough syrup or dayquil bottles that I keep in my case just for this tiny screw, to keep from losing it. I also place my featherweights on a towel when I get ready to service them, and this helps to keep the screws from rolling off of the table.
I am not advertising for this individual, but I purchased the book (in black and white) titled "The Featherweight 221 and I" by David McCallum, it is the best purchase I ever made I think. The book is fully illustrated and every time I need to do any thing to my babies, I drag this book out. (I took it apart put the pages in plastic sleeves and put it all in a 3 ring binder, along with all other books or notes on Featherweights. I have manuals for mine, but this book is much better I think. A good site is Featherweight RX.
Have fun.
10-11-2012, 05:32 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Pittsburg, Kansas
Posts: 1,691
Someone offered me a featherweight.
...for 250. Complete with case, accessories. He told me it belonged to his great grandmother and she rarely/never used it. Then it sat in his closet ever since. He said that another family member took her cabinet. (i assume after g.grandma passed) It looks to be in nice condition from the pics he showed me. He said it runs and smells like the original oil? Is this a good thing? (I'm most concerned by that comment.)
My local antique shop says they have them between 275-375 depending on condition and accessories. And there is one on Craigslist listed as mint for 850! I did see some listed on the evil bay for 150 and up but convience of no shipping and fear of breaking makes me less inclined to save a buck. Besides this is the originally family.
Good bad? What do you guys think? Did I mention it's my birthday Saturday?
My local antique shop says they have them between 275-375 depending on condition and accessories. And there is one on Craigslist listed as mint for 850! I did see some listed on the evil bay for 150 and up but convience of no shipping and fear of breaking makes me less inclined to save a buck. Besides this is the originally family.
Good bad? What do you guys think? Did I mention it's my birthday Saturday?
I have a f. weight I bought 9 yrs. ago for $500. My tech. said they come and go in supply, and there weren't many around at that time; hence the higher price.
Have the tech. check out the bobbin area. That is where the biggest wear is and can cause the most problem. Mine needed a new part in that area, as we were seeing him very often. Double ck. that it is okay.
Otherwise, if it sews a good stitch, you have a good deal, in my opinion.
Mariah.
10-11-2012, 05:40 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
Nope, can't go wrong with a FW. I have 3 and love every one of them......
nanna
nanna
Last edited by nanna-up-north; 10-11-2012 at 05:41 AM. Reason: that stupid bar hides what I say and I keep forgetting to manage it better.
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