Fixedgearhead

I agree with the premiss about declining value. But in this case, the rough areas were so bad that they needed to be cleaned up to allow for sewing. The fabric would catch on it. There was actually rust. If you don't cure the rust there will be nothing of value to brag about as an antique. This, after all, is just a tool. I know people get attached to their machines and name them and think they are the next thing to sliced bread, but in the end they are just a tool. In the woodworking world, there are those folks who search out old tools and place them up on a shelf and look at them and never use them. There is nothing wrong with thinking of them as art objects, but again, they are just a tool. I use all my tools, both sewing and woodworking. Some of them are very old, but I clean them up and use them. I have repaired furniture for people who paid lots of money because they bought some piece that was a couple of hundred years old. But if you look at the inner workings of such pieces there were some pretty bad carpenters/craftsmen who made those things from the standpoint of quality of construction. Everything old is not good just because it is old. I guess I don't worry about the value of some of these things, if they don't allow me to use them. Call me crazy, but I like to use them not look at them.
John

Mitch's mom

I agree with you 100%. I use all the old stuff I cart home. Mixers, sewing machines, bicycles, scales. Pretty much anything mechanical.

Janis

If the machine really needs to be painted to be usable, that is one thing. I guess my thought is to take a good machine and repaint it just to have one in another color is not in the best interest. Repairing and restoring is a different story all together. I'm glad that you can help others make their machines and furniture usable.
In a like story, I try to grow orchids, and just hate to see the ones in the stores that have had dye put in the pots and absorbed all through the plant just to make the blossoms BLUE!! I complain when I see them!

purplefiend

[quote=valleyquiltermo][quote=cabbagepatchkid][quote=vintagemotif]Anyone heard of this one?
FW clone called the MINI Classic made in the 90's.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/hsh/2449094017.html




Save your money and buy a genuine Singer Featherweight. The Mini Classic isn't made as well as the real thing.
Sharon W.

myreda

Janis, you are on the right track. My husband surprised me with a Featherweight the other day. We were out shopping and when I got back to the car I could hardly believe my eyes. :-) I think he is beginning to look at them as investments if the price is right. Hope your husband adds something "new" and exciting to your collection soon.

Janis

I've seen another FW and another 99 just after I got each of them, and was glad that I'd gotten the ones I have. The others were in terrible shape. I'd have hated to have it the other way around!!
What is the date on your FW? Mine is 1939. I didn't get the black case with it, but got a newer green and tan one that the guy put it in. He said that the other case was in bad shape and he threw it away. I'd have liked to have it anyway to see if I could fix it. But I don't keep it in the case anyway. I got a yarn rolling tote from Michaels that it fits in just perfectly. The rolling tote has a lot of storage in it too.
Aren't husbands that look for things like that wonderful!! Mine will come back from a garage sale and say that he'd seen a sewing machine for sale but it wasn't a Singer. I'm just looking at them at the moment as I know the old ones of them are the ones I can get parts for if necessary.

Kas

She is a beauty! I have a 1936 that has some of the new changes, but not all that were made in that year. Pretty cool! Well, if you want to make your baby truly authentic, you will need the stagger leg scroll plate. The scroll doesn't wrap all the way around like the later ones called the even leg. See here at this site. http://www.thefeatherweight221factory.com/June2011.aspx
I prefer the even leg, but mine is correct for my year. Just a good excuse to look for a later one to add to the collection!

Janis

Kas, thanks for the featherweight221factory site. I went right to it and learned a lot of interesting things about the differences in the first models of the featherweight. I was under the impression that there were very few changes, and all made at once, rather than over a couple of years or so.

Kas

You are welcome. I learned a lot at that site, too. I was concerned at first that my FW was not quite right. Now I know she is just in the middle of a bunch of changes and really cool. I will get some pix up some day! I am taking Dave Mcallum's class here next month to learn how to clean and service my new baby. That is going to be good.

CoventryUK

I have just joined the club!!!!! My special friend Izy found me a bargain on e.bay and we won the bid yesterday!!!! I paid £57 plus £10 postage (approx $115 I think!!) A real bargain!! It will be in the post tomorrow can't wait to see it!!!! Will post pics and details when I get it!!! Sooo looking forward to being a member of this club!!!! Izy you.re a star!! Thanks!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: