miriam

In addition to what Tammi said, I've liked White machines - I don't think I've seen a bad vintage one yet.

I betcha my favorite are the 15 clones. I don't know why. I guess because they are all alike but all different and they all work eventually. I haven't got a parts machine yet. fun place to visit & leave a pic if you find a clone... http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t164361.html

Tammi, I think Elna, Viking, Bernina and Pfaff are nice machines - they are harder to work on.

ArchaicArcane

One of my first machines was a White. I found it in the basement of my first house. It was pre-sewing days for me. I was so frustrated with the machine, but my neighbor ( in the army) took it to the base one day and gave it to the seamster (??) there, and he tuned it up. Pronounced it a wonderful machine. I tried it out, decided it hated me, stuck it back in the basement and donated it when I sold that house. You're right though. I haven't had a bad White here, but for some reason, of all the machines I get, they're the hardest to adopt out.

For some reason, the Pfaffs don't bother me, but the Bernina and Elna machines just seem to fight me like crazy. It's like I have to scrap with the machine just to get the oil to where it needs to be and such. That said, the ladies with the serger and the latest Bernina are tickled pink with their machines, so I do manage to get the job done. It's possible that I just feel they're over hyped too.

I have one Elna in "time out" under the bench right now. In fairness, it IS beside a Pfaff (the one I started this thread over) also in Solitary. I just can't bring myself to disassemble the upper tensioner to change that Upper tension spring.

miriam

I have a Pfaff in time out - I get it out and oil it once in a while then put it back in time out because it is stuck... LOL
I haven't fought with one single White. I sort of feel the same way you do about the FW - probably because it was what I learned on. Fought with it mostly. I know what I was doing wrong now... I don't get all the hype about them though...

ArchaicArcane

LOL! the 130 spent some time like that. It was almost seized when I got it, it now has just the tiniest lumpy spot. Sews fine though.

I fought with the White for the same reason I fought with the 290C I got when I was 10. I had no idea what I was doing. Tension is important. This I did not know.

I just find the Featherweights adorable. And like I said the first time I saw one... "It sews too!?!?!" I can't justify the price for the most part, but since I do use them (periodically) they're not just decoration at least. They're great on a bad disk day. I can still carry one of those and set it out to sew.

miriam

The stupid Pfaff needle doesn't want to zig and zag. It wants to zig and zzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggg in slow motion. I can't seem to find the gooed spot.

ArchaicArcane

My first guess would be right at the needle bar,... maybe it's just a relaxed sort of machine?

miriam

it's relaxed all right - sleeping on the floor under a pile of stuff. I dig it out once in awhile and turn it over so the oil can go a different direction.

ArchaicArcane

Aw!! Tucked in and warm while it snoozes!! You're so good to it

miriam

I'd really like to scrap the thing. I don't have a cord or maybe the foot controller or something to it either. I have a suspicion it would start to work if someone ran the bejeebers out of it. I'm not all that excited about Pfaff machines. I had a commercial one gave me fits. I think I bent the shaft on it.

ArchaicArcane

Which Pfaff is it? Perhaps you can trade with someone for something you do want?