rdwhitaker

I was gifted a White Rotary sewing machine, serial number 2629884, which I have determined is a 1917 FR model. I see many mentions here about the model numbers. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to find what model I have! Any help?
Thank you!
Ryan

rdwhitaker

When I got this old White, its veneer was chipped, peeling, and really rough on the top surfaces. I've started to refinish it by scraping off the old shellac, gluing down places where the veneer was lifting, patching in some new veneer, and filling in chips with wood putty. After I sand it all down smooth, I'll restain it, and finish with a coating of lacquer. Hopefully it will shine! I see some like to name their machines. Hmmm ... I'll have to think about that!

Here's what it looks like right now, mid-project.

OurWorkbench

Welcome. Your machine is a FR model as indicated by the serial number. There were later models that had numbers, which were indicated by numbers before an "X" followed by other numbers and sometimes without an "X". However, the manuals that came with them did not have model numbers listed on the manuals, but were titled "Book 9" or something similar.

I'm guessing you may have gotten the date for your machine from https://www.treadleon.net/WhiteSM/whites.html. When I was looking where to find manuals for your machine, I found that there are at least a couple different versions of Book 12. One is for electric version and the other was for a treadle, but both titled Book 12. Here a few links for manuals for the Family Rotary or ones that will work for it.
https://res.cloudinary.com/singer-se...-9-shuttle.pdf
http://needlebar.org/main/manuals/white/index.html
https://ismacs.net/white/manuals/whi...ual-book-6.pdf has a different stitch length than your machine.
https://ismacs.net/white/manuals/whi...al-book-10.pdf

Have fun sewing with it.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

rdwhitaker

I was trying to make it more complicated by looking for some number to follow the "FR". I found a mostly complete manual inside one of the drawers, Book 10, and had just scanned it into a PDF file on my own. Then, in my searchings, I found a more complete version better than mine! I also had found a Book 11, which is essentially the same. I tried to load them here, but they are too large.

Here is where I got Book 11: https://ismacs.net/white/manuals/white-rotary.pdf
I can't find where I found Book 10 -- sorry!

Thank you for your help.

Ryan

OurWorkbench

You probably found it at the last link above which is found initially at https://ismacs.net/white/manuals.html

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)