Bel-Air 600 sewing machine (1952)
10-02-2024, 07:42 AM
#1
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Bel-Air 600 sewing machine (1952)
Howdy!
I managed to snag a Bel-Air 600 sewing machine for $20. The machine is missing the belt, bobbin cover/slide plate, and the bobbin. Would anyone know what the part names are for these or parts that are compatible with the machine? I've attached two pictures of the machine. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I managed to snag a Bel-Air 600 sewing machine for $20. The machine is missing the belt, bobbin cover/slide plate, and the bobbin. Would anyone know what the part names are for these or parts that are compatible with the machine? I've attached two pictures of the machine. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
10-02-2024, 08:43 AM
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2020
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Welcome to the QuiltingBoard!
You have a "Singer 15 Clone", made in Japan. If you search this site for "Singer 15 Clone" you'll find additional information and probably a link for a generic manual for these machines.
It will use a Class 15 bobbin, very common, and 15x1 needle, also very common. As to the slide plate I can't say for sure, but an actual Singer 15 slide plate may fit, or a slide plate from any other Clone would likely fit.
You should be able to sew with it just as it is on a flat surface (but oil will likely drip from the bottom). There are plans on the internet for making bases to hold loose machines.
You have a "Singer 15 Clone", made in Japan. If you search this site for "Singer 15 Clone" you'll find additional information and probably a link for a generic manual for these machines.
It will use a Class 15 bobbin, very common, and 15x1 needle, also very common. As to the slide plate I can't say for sure, but an actual Singer 15 slide plate may fit, or a slide plate from any other Clone would likely fit.
You should be able to sew with it just as it is on a flat surface (but oil will likely drip from the bottom). There are plans on the internet for making bases to hold loose machines.
10-02-2024, 09:05 AM
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,650
Welcome, but Joe saw the stitch length regulator and it is like the Singer class 15 machines. BUT - it is actually a 201 clone, as the tension isn't on the face plate (aka nose) and it takes a horizontal 66 class bobbin. I'm not sure if a 66 bobbin cover plate would work or not. I can't see the edge of the machine to see if it is like a 66 slide plate or not. I will look and see if I can find some pictures that might help.
I'm glad you were able to post pictures.
ETA - Here is a slide plate for a 201 https://oldsingershop.com/products/s...32394289872932
and this is what a 66 bobbin area looks like https://media.rainpos.com/5806/66_sl...ate_spring.jpg
This manual may work, but there are some differences. While it says it is for a 115, it is not the very early Singer 115. https://web.archive.org/web/20211101...ng_Machine.pdf
I'm glad you were able to post pictures.
ETA - Here is a slide plate for a 201 https://oldsingershop.com/products/s...32394289872932
and this is what a 66 bobbin area looks like https://media.rainpos.com/5806/66_sl...ate_spring.jpg
This manual may work, but there are some differences. While it says it is for a 115, it is not the very early Singer 115. https://web.archive.org/web/20211101...ng_Machine.pdf
Last edited by OurWorkbench; 10-02-2024 at 09:19 AM.
10-02-2024, 10:31 AM
#5
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Thanks for the information! I really appreciate it. I have found someone who is selling the same model I have that has all of the parts if this helps at all for references.
Vintage Bel-Air Sewing Machine Model 600 Original Foot Pedal W Light:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225160810627
Vintage Bel-Air Sewing Machine Model 600 Original Foot Pedal W Light:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225160810627
10-02-2024, 10:49 AM
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
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That one has screws holding the slide plate (which definitely is NOT the way it came). I noticed someone that had a similar and she posted a photo of her bobbin area at https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...11-624612.html. It sure looks like it would take the 201 slide plate. The linked picture of the open 66 bobbin area shows a 'spring' at the edge of the machine. It almost looks like a 66 might work.
Last edited by OurWorkbench; 10-02-2024 at 11:09 AM.
10-02-2024, 02:55 PM
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: South of St Louis
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Good thing Janey came along!! I was off by a million miles. I wish I had checked this 10 minutes ago because 9 minutes ago I started digging in the bin looking for a spare 15 clone bobbin plate.
Not sure I've seen a 201 clone before. Very interesting.
Not sure I've seen a 201 clone before. Very interesting.
10-03-2024, 06:32 AM
#9
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The more I look at Dawn's photo and your machine (although even magnifying it having a hard time seeing what I want) the more I think a 66 slide plate would work. Some of the online machine parts places are out of stock. There are several on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=32569+slide+plate According to one of the Amazon pages says the Plate measures approximately 2-1/16" X 1-13/16". They are kind of fiddly to install, but the instructions are on the lower right of the page of the 66 manual at https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12...?page=6#manual.
10-03-2024, 07:37 PM
#10
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Walland TN
Posts: 402
I am thankful that you are finding parts, but I have to bust some bubbles. There may be machines that look like the 66s or 201s, but there are no clones, as such. I don't recall ever seeing Japanese machines taking class 66 bobbins. What am I missing?
