chips88

i need some advice on sewing machines. i have 2 straight stitch machines. that are old and are made from metal witch i love. now the question is what machines out there that are all metal that has more stitch choices. like zigzag etc.so when i get to all yard sales and flea markets. i know what to look for. thanks in advance for all your help.

crafty pat

I have the 1957 or 8 Singer 401A that has what you are looking for. I bought mine new in 1958 and have carried it with me all over the world with my Army DH and have used it as my main machine all these years and have never had a problem with it. I just take it in for cleaning and check ups about once a year and it runs as good as new.

J Miller

The Singer 500 Rocketeer is another all metal machine. It uses the top hat cams as well and has built in stitch patterns too.

The singer 328 and 338 are are both good all metal machines. They use the flat cams. Lots of choices for patterns there. These machines are quite simple compared to the 401 and 500 series.

Then you have the Kenmores that use cams and / or built in cam stacks. They are excellent machines. In my NSHO the 158 series made by Maruzen / Jaguar are equal to and in my cases better than their Singer peers. I have several of them and they are great.

There are many other brands that made all metal ZZ and fancy pattern sewing machines, but these are what I'm the most familiar with so far.

Joe

chips88

thank you crafty pat and j miller very helpful.will keep my eye out for them.

DanofNJ

The Singer 401 is a great choice as well, essentially the same machine as the 501 but IMHO more powerful. Great stitches!

miriam

Elna, Bernina, Pfaff, - while some of those have some nylon parts - it's not a bad thing... some of the Japanese machines have metal cam stacks or just use disks, White, Montgomery Ward good grief - tons - take along a screwdriver and look. On any of them be prepared to work on the machine when you get it home.