Snowglobes

Hello, I would appreciate help finding out what machine I have.

The machine I have is a Mardix Super IV M. The issue is that as far as I know, Mardix brings over machines from other companies, builds and then sells them here in Israel under their brand.
I assume they made an arrangement with companies due to the boycott on Israel at the time, and used Mardix as a sort of loophole to sell here. That, or they're clones, either way.
An example of this is the Mardix Selecto, which as far as I can gather, seems to be a machine from Bernina.

I've added 3 pictures to this post as attachments. one of the selecto, two of the super iv m.

I will be able to send pictures of my machine probably within the next few days (my friend is gonna deliver it to me this week probably) so sadly, as of right now, I can't answer very specific questions or show specific portions of the machine.

Any help in figuring this out is appreciated.
I will do my best to answer any questions (tho I don't know much...That's kinda why I'm here).
Thanks

leonf

Fascinating machines. I've never seen anything quite like them in the USA. I love the treadle option for the last two and the tilt down bed on the first one. The middle machine looks like it may take cams in a door on the top. I will follow this wo see who else jumps in. Welcome aboard.

juliasb

Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan USA! This machine is a beauty! So many possibilities with this one. I don't have an answer for you.like leonf I can't wait to see who has some answers for you. There are so many here that may have the answers. Jump right in and join all the fun here. There are so many people who share the love of vintage machines. I have my share here but no answer on this one. Again welcome to the QB!

Snowglobes

Thanks!
The moment I saw a post on a E-Commerce site for second hand goods of this, I knew I had to get one.
I waited until there was a post with a good price and managed to get one for 50$ in working condition. which is about half to a third the price the price of others I found on the same site.

The only other thing I found is that this shady looking site may sell some parts for this machine. Obviously I'm not going to use the site, but it was a find nonetheless.

bkay

I'm with Leon and Julia, I've never seen them. I looked at the UK site for parts and the bobbin and bobbin case appear to be class 15, which may indicate Japanese made. When you get it, there will be more questions.

Welcome,
bkay

JoeJr

I really like the first one. My initial (completely uneducated and not very experienced) reaction though was Japanese made based on the fold down spool pin, which looks just like ones on a "McGuire Automatic" I just received, and the feed dog drop dial, which just like the 15 clones I also just received, although the plate is different.

Snowglobes

What's this "15" people are mentioning? is it a specific brand or model of machine?

JoeJr

The very short answer is that Singer made a machine designated a Model 15 which you can read about here:

https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/15/

After WWII machines were produced in Japan that used much of the same engineering as the Singer 15, specifically the bobbin and case. These were made by the millions and had many different labels or badges. There are pictures of two different ones here:

Barn Find

Your machines appear to use the same Singer 15 class of bobbins/bobbin case, which is why bkay is thinking they might have been designed and produced in Japan.

bkay

After WW11, the plans for a Singer 15 were given to the Japanese to restart their manufacturing. Initially, they made copies of the singer 15 in colors and with all sorts of "badges". The same machine might be sold under several different names, so that it would lessen the competition between the sellers in a given market. These are referred to as "15 clones". They are straight stitch only machines with a belt driven motor.

However, the Japanese started innovating not too long after that and made a myriad of what are called Class 15 machines. At first they had built in Zig-zag, then came cams that produced sewing patterns, then built in stitches. They have the bobbin, shutttle and bobbin case similar to the original Singer 15.There were thousands of these machines produced by companies like Toyota, Brother and Happy Sewing Machine company. Again, they were "badged" with names like Sew Magic, fabri-mate, good housekeeper, New home, etc. I once had a sewing machine that I was able to find sold under 5 different names.

Here's a thread about those machines.

So that's what we mean by 15 machines.

bkay
Joe and I were typing at the same time.

Snowglobes

Okay, cool. I know of those singers and that they were massively successful and cloned a lot, but I never actually knew the name for them or the fact that the clones are called "15 Clones" or "15 Machines".

So then, do you guys think, based on the current information and pictures I have, that the Mardix Super IV M has multiple stitch types or do you think it's straight stitch only?

Also, I think i'm gonna call it the "IV M" from now on, unless you guys have a better name. Mardix Super IV M is just a pain to type. or maybe "Mardix S 4M"?