mermaid

That's a real beauty! I don't have this model(yet!) but I do have a similar Brother straight stitch machine. An HA1 manual might work, I'm not sure if this one has the same type of upper tension assembly or the one that's just a hair different in the threading of the upper tension. But it looks like you got that covered. Mickey pretty much nailed it on the oiling. I don't think I can add anything useful.


Thank you, Cari--I've cleaned and oiled and putting a crane on retainer for lifting-LOL. It is such a heavy machine, but that's what "solid" is all about. I had tho't perhaps to steal the motor & pedal to put on my treadle machine, but the stitches are so pretty and perfect that I think I will keep this one for piecing. The only dislike I have is the light. It gets hot and wants to burn my hand when I reach under to raise or drop the presser foot. I wonder if there was some kind of plastic or glass cover over the bulb at one time? Or maybe hands were smaller and daintier than mine when this machine was made. BTW, would you happen to know approx when the machine was made? The plate on the end states it is Model 1351-A and I've been unable to find info. I'm sure I have not looked in the right place yet, but am curious since it is in such pristine condition.

MaggieLou

It may be listed as a Brother Opus 1351. I found it listed both ways but didn't have time to check for manuals.

Cari-in-Oly

Mermaid the one and only downside(but it's also a plus) to these machines is that they're so heavy. It's a plus because you know they're so well made that they're going to outlast you with just a little care. Yes the light gets hot. I guess that's a minus point too but did you know that LED lights are now available for most sewing machines? They give brighter light and don't get hot.
I prefer to have them in a cabinet and use a knee lever so I have a couple of cabinets that I switch out machines into when I want to use them. My favorite machine is whichever one I'm using at the time and with 70+ machines, over 30 of them being brothers, I have lots to choose from.

Cari

mermaid

Oh my gosh..you are sewing machine poor! Yes, I prefer this machine in a cabinet also...I have2 that are empty because of embroidery, cover stitch, and serger sitting on top of the the closed cabinet...and laptop. It is such a hassle moving stuff to open the cabinet. This one deff needs to be in cabinets tho. I'm sewing blocks for a Cathedral Windows quilt right now without this little Brother..it's my favorite brand of machine-- straight stitch and emb.

Cari-in-Oly

My favorite too, I have 32 Brother machines now and two of them are embroidery machines. I do admit to being a little bit of a traitor though when it comes to embroidery machines and sergers. My sergers are Janome and Consew, and I have three Janome embroidery machines that I much prefer over the Brothers.

Cari

[email protected]

I know you posted quite a while ago, but are you still looking for a manual for this? I picked one of these up this summer complete with manual, so can send you a scan if you would like. It's such a lovely lovely machine!

katiebear1

Wow, what a bargain! has a nice big throat area too.

Lilmacsdinker

I would love a copy if you wouldn’t mind sending it to me. I just came across one in storage and I am trying to figure her out.