Sunflowerzz

I came across a carry case I needed to complete my 500A, it was an original case and in great shape but dirty, an easy fix and I found it at Goodwill so the price was very low. It still had a Rocketeer in it too!.

Started my usual inspection and clean up on the machine. Here is the unusual thing. When I removed the top I noticed she had something my other Rocketeer didn't have. I pulled Rocki out of her case and compared them to be sure. Rocki is my first 500A and in my collection. Rocki is serial# NC375104

I named the new Rocketeer Balboa.. I know I know, LOL Can't help it.
Balboas' serial # is NC591818.

Balboa has what looks to be a fracture mold seam inside that Rocki doesn't have. It is not a nice straight seam but rather looks to be a fracture from the actual mold and they just kept making machines with it anyway. No trace of the fracture on the outside of the machine. I guess they didn't want to pay for a new mold.

I will just have to say that this makes Balboa a very unique and special girl. All in all my older machine Rocki appears to have been made ummm, more carefully. Balboa appears a little more rough around the edges with the metal work and paint job.

It does make me wonder how many molds they had, about quality control, and how many machines were MFG. with this unique seam. Has anyone else got this same fracture style seam?

1st pic is Rocki. 2nd pic is Balboa

J Miller

Hmmmmm, I have two 500A's and neither has that casting mark.
Serial numbers: NC 561549 and NC 142784

I'll bet you're right, the mold was cracked and they probably patched it, polished the exterior and kept on using it.

Joe

Sunflowerzz

Thanks Joe, Your serial numbers are both before my machine with the fracture so maybe the mold was getting pretty old toward the end of the runs for the 500A. I read that the 500A was only made for three years. I would love to know if they had lots of molds or only a few? I will try to find out.

Anyone else have any 500A's they can check out?

J Miller

Mine were made in 1961 and 1962 according to the records I could find.

I'm looking forward to others checking their machines too. It would be interesting if we could get close the serial number where the crack occurred.

Joe

SteveH

We had an interesting and sorta similar issue here at work a couple years ago.

We started having issues with a product from time to time and were able to trace it to a worn mold. Once we did we were able to spot check inventory until we pinned down when the failure began. That let us notify our customers that received parts made after that date to be extra careful and critical of them. (or return them at our expense)

Rodney

Interesting. I'm wondering how many molds were used to make that part too. It could be something like 1 machine in X amount has that defect where X is the amount of molds Singer was using. It could also be the crack only shows up after this serial number and is on every machine after it.
Apparently Singer didn't feel it was a serious enough defect to justify making a new mold to replace it.
Either way congrats on your new Rocketeer even though you're still short a case for your other one.
Rodney

Sunflowerzz

Thanks Rodney, I may have the only BooBoo 500A ever made! Have to change her name now. Since the original cases are going for 80-100 dollars around here I think I will put 'BooBoo' into a table and rehome her that way.

grannysewer

I just saw this thread. My Rocketeer's number is NC120108. Would have to open everything to check for crack, right? Don't see anything on outside. She sews like a dream, named her Judy after the lady who gave her to me.
Bobbie

Sunflowerzz

Hi Bobbie, just two screws on top and then the whole top lifts off. Easy peasy.

Wanabee Quiltin

I bought one new in 1964, that machine had the worst tension issues ever. Was so glad to sell it to my mother-in-law for $100.