vintagemotif

The pattern will be the same for the Two Spools, be it National or Eldredge. This machine that I'm am posting is the only machine found in a google search that has the same pattern as the Two Spools. This machine is a National Rotary. The machine head is NOT the same as the Two Spools. It's a totally different beast.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]446455[/ATTACH]

I believe it is Jon that may have information on the Nationals...or is it Davis machines. Anyhow, this machine was once posted here on QB, and Jon informed the person posting the CL ad that the machine was a rotary machine and not a Two Spools. There is someone out there collecting information on National machines, and they may be of help to you. I just can't recall who that person can be right now.

Jeannette, The decals on your Two Spools look to be in very good condition. My suggestion is only clean that machine with sewing machine oil to preserve the decals. Anything other than sewing machine oil could remove or silver the decals.

Sheluma

When I want to remember what something looks like it's easier to find a picture of it on my computer than to go and look at the actual thing. I think I have too many things.

The bobbin can looks like it will hold a fairly big spool. I saw an old ad in which National boasted it could hold a 200 yd spool. I also found someone's blog where she said she found wooden spools of the right size at Michael's, or hobby lobby or someplace like that, and wound them herself. (I don't have a Two Spool but can you tell I want one? )

I have a bunch of old wooden spools, and the size of a 100 yd spool is often the same as a 200 yd. The 200 yd is just cut deeper. Wooden spools are nice, but some of them were made of maple, in an era when we were cutting down our old-growth forests like mad. Many of them are cut really shallow and don't hold much thread. I guess wood was cheap and thread was expensive. The "bow tie" shaped spools hold a lot.
I re-found the National ad:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...1662%2C6209536

Here's part of a fun article about vintage spools:
http://info.fabrics.net/thread-spool-sizes-and-shapes/

more:
http://info.fabrics.net/thread-labels-page-4/
there are more photo galleries if you click on the links at the bottom of the page

Macybaby

Here is a picture of mine - with the Eldredge name - and says "National" on top.

I have a whole bunch of vintage wooden spools (that came with machines) that are the right size to fit in the spool holder.

Jeanette Frantz

My name is Jeanette and I'm also addicted to old sewing machines and their attachments.

Jeanette Frantz

Adam, the last patent date (on the slide plate) is September 1913. I have no idea how old my machine is -- I inherited it from my aunt -- it belonged to her grandmother (aunt is 86) or great grandmother -- I don't know for sure, but I do know that my machine has been in a climate-controlled residence for the past 50-60 years. The difference in the machine -- at a glance mine has no writing on the top side of the head where yours has the place of manufacture. I have no idea what age this machine is -- I'm just trying to get it cleaned up and refurbish or refinish the cabinet. The cabinet has been very well cared for, so it's not in bad shape.

Caroline S

Thanks Sheila for the newspaper link. I purchased that same cabinet without the sewing machine some time ago. Deep underneath I found an Eldredge Two Spool manual, all rolled up and oil soaked. Now I know the vintage of the cabinet. I do have a complete Eldredge Two Spool head but it is for a treadle and won't work in the cabinet, alas. Perhaps someday I will find an electric model.

Rodney

Adam great pics and a great looking machine. It's going to clean up very well. I'm glad you mentioned the boats in the background. I was going to ask if you built them. After working on boats the sewing machine will be easy just due to the size difference.
Rodney

vintageidaho

Thanks everyone for the responses. It seems all of you have a special interest in this particular machine. I'm so thrilled such people exist that believe in these old machines and there beauty and functionality. Lets keep going with this talk. All i read about is the millions and millions of Singers produced. It also seems this particular machine was revolutionary in productivity, which to me is weird that it wouldn't catch on with other manufacturers.

Rodney, I do build boats.... Recently i have been doing restore work. I find these old wooden drift boats and bring them back to original condition. One of the boats in the left side of the pictures is the winter project this year. It was built in the late 30's... It is one of the oldest known boats of its kind still in existence. I'm restoring it for a museum in Oregon.

check out www.woodboatpeople.com for another spectrum on forum talking.

JBeamer

[QUOTE=NikkiLu;6394659]There's a rule on most forums: "Pictures or it never happened."

Sounds like someone might be a nurse 'cause we say if its not charted it didn't happen.

JBeamer

There's a rule on most forums: "Pictures or it never happened."

Sounds like someone might be a nurse because we say if it isn't charted it didn't happen.
Also as a real newbie to vintage machines, why is this one called a 2 spool? I only see one spool "spike" or what ever the thread holder is called.
Thanks