Featherweight shopping and education.
12-14-2019, 06:32 AM
#21
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Philomath, Oregon
Posts: 2,076
I’m curious and maybe you can speak to this: one reseller talked about refurbishing them, so basically taking everything apart and replacing a bunch of time-worn parts as well as thoroughly cleaning the rest And rewiring and such. The featherweight shoppe describes basically cleaning and oiling as their process. do they tend to need to have rewiring and replacing done? I want to buy a machine that is going to be good to go for years to come and so am willing to invest in having the appropriate work done, I’m just not sure what the appropriate work is.
A typical servicing can add $100 - $200 to the cost depending on what needs to be done. If the machine just needed basic cleaning and oiling then it's on the lower end, but if it needed electrical work too (and many do) then it's going to be more.
My husband is very thorough when he goes over one, and it takes him 4-5 hours if it doesn't need electrical work. He basically strips everything down and cleans any gunk off and polishes and re-oils. Then he adjusts tension/timing as needed and then he gives it to me for a good sewing trial. I usually make up a couple of nice test blocks to send with the machine.
I'll add that there are a lot of variations in how nice the machines sew. Usually those that are more worn end up sewing much smoother as they are well broken in compared to those that have prestine decals and look like they've never been used. Often when you get a repaint, you'll be getting a machine that was well broke in, and then it gets a very good cleaning - and you end up with a beautiful machine that sews very nice.
the last one my DH did was decent, the one before that I nicknamed Sweetheart as it was one of the nicest I've ever sewn on. Unfortunately it wasn't one of mine.
My husband is very thorough when he goes over one, and it takes him 4-5 hours if it doesn't need electrical work. He basically strips everything down and cleans any gunk off and polishes and re-oils. Then he adjusts tension/timing as needed and then he gives it to me for a good sewing trial. I usually make up a couple of nice test blocks to send with the machine.
I'll add that there are a lot of variations in how nice the machines sew. Usually those that are more worn end up sewing much smoother as they are well broken in compared to those that have prestine decals and look like they've never been used. Often when you get a repaint, you'll be getting a machine that was well broke in, and then it gets a very good cleaning - and you end up with a beautiful machine that sews very nice.
the last one my DH did was decent, the one before that I nicknamed Sweetheart as it was one of the nicest I've ever sewn on. Unfortunately it wasn't one of mine.
12-14-2019, 08:10 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Belen, NM
Posts: 1,353
Luvstoquilt--Your discussion of your Featherweights almost brought me to tears. You see, I have a beautiful black Featherweight--the same one that my mother used to make my baby clothes. Mother passed it to me before she died because she knew how much it would mean to me to have it. My mother's name was Ruby.
12-14-2019, 08:56 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 554
I have a black featherweight..It is a fantastic machine! I put a needle in backwards and it would not sew (Da.. a month ago..finally checked on line, after checking every other thing on the machine..after years of sewing on it and working with it..put the needle in wrong..They are wonderful machines!
12-14-2019, 09:59 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NM
Posts: 993
Try and get the 201/black color, it was made a little bit better, later the cream/green colored one came out and it is hard wired and not as friendly for sewers. Just my opinion, as I have a few friends with the white/green and they are always tempramental. Not my friends, Haha.
12-14-2019, 05:51 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: near Topeka kansas
Posts: 4,524
unless you are absolutely sold on the FWs consider the 301. They are aluminum bodied, just a bit heavier with a deeper throat. Great machines and much cheaper, but again make sure it has the original bobbin case. Aftermarkets have a bad reputation.
12-16-2019, 01:36 PM
#26
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Philomath, Oregon
Posts: 2,076
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