Anyone Ever hear of a Phoenix Sewing Machine?
 

I just received a neglected Phoenix Automatic Class 283 sewing machine. I've never seen one before let alone know anything about it. It came in a cabnet with all the accessories plus the book. This is really an unusual machine. The warrenty card says that it was manufactured in Bielelfeld, Germany. The bobbin case is another unusual item. How to remove the bobbin and replace it into place. I've never seen anything like it. What can any of you tell me about this machine? Has anyone owned one? I'm just curious! I don't know if it runs yet. There is one cord that looks like it might need some attention before plugging it in.

Thank You, Claudia :o

Can you post some pictures? They'd probably help, particularly if it's a rebadge.

pics please??????

http://www.needlebar.org/main~nb/mak...rempel/br.html

Go to part 2 of the link above. It will give you some information regarding your sewing machine.

Well here she is: I hope this uploads now. I've been having problems with this computer lately. It needs cleaning out.

Well! It finally uploaded. Hurray.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]373480[/ATTACH]

Thank You Caroline S for the needlebar sight. It dated this machine as a 1954. Thank you Again, Claudia

What does the bobbin area look like? What bobbins does it take?
Were you able to find a manual? Does it work? Is it gray or green?
Does it just do zig zag? Does it have disks? I am ssssooooooo nosy.....

I am nosy also Miriam. I sure am fascinated by what I call the "odd balls" machines, the ones that are not commonly seen. Did you take a peak at the 2nd link I posted. Several pictures down there is a picture of the bobbin area and case. It sort of resembles the Necchi Lydia bobbin case and the way it loads. I am also thinking that it does not use disks. Perhaps if we nag Claudia long enough she will post more pictures of her German maiden.

That looks like an awesome machine, i hope you are able to find something out about her, good luck

I just bought one!!! I can't lug it in the house - my shoulder is in bad shape and I'm not allowed to lift anything. I am waiting for DH to get home and haul it in. Mine has a manual and a box of attachments. I'll shoot a pic in a few minutes. The manual is a pamphlet - about a page all folded up. I looked at the bobbin area - pretty dirty but pretty cool - I can't wait to take a screw driver to that machine - might have to wait a bit though...

Well. I do NOT have a manual. I have a sales brochure. I should shoot it, too. The machine is way cool but I haven't got it off the floor by the door where he parked it. One step at a time. ARGH. :mad: Did yours come with disks? I got 10 disks, one bobbin and some attachments and a brochure. The machine is in nice shape. The table is in wonderful shape but it is over at the shop.

Well, DH lifted it on to the table!!! One linty machine - not terribly dirty. I love it - this is one very nice machine!!! A lot of thought went into it. There are some quirks but - well it was the 1950's and all those fancy stitches were new. I shot some pics. I figured out a few things. WOW!!! I wish for a manual. All I got was a sales brochure. The inner workings are similar to the Singer 319. There is a cam stack with 4 settings. There are loose disks - I have no idea where they go. The whole cam stack comes off. Unlike the 319 you can only choose one setting - well so far that is what I think. It is a bit easier to set the zz on this machine though. I should put an old Elna, a 319 and this Phoenix next to each other and compare the features. Here is a pic of the sales brochure. Very good condition BTW.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]373722[/ATTACH]

The second pic did not post so I deleted it.

Ok here is a pic of the machine. [ATTACH=CONFIG]373724[/ATTACH]
Nice green.

I shot a pic of the control panel... I like control panels. Specially when they work...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]373725[/ATTACH]
There is a stitch length on the right - to the left of it is a little lever type thing with four markings. You push that in and it selects which disk to use. The big round thing is the width selector. The little one is the needle LRC. In back is a little lever to push when the little lever type thing is pushed and set - it has to be pushed so things will move.

The lever on the back: [ATTACH=CONFIG]373726[/ATTACH]

The cam stack is inside and when you open it up and push on the front and top you can see how it works.
I do not know how the spare disks go yet
That arm across the top is part of the zz works - reminds me kind of like the Singer 319.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]373727[/ATTACH]

WHAAAAAAH
here we go again. I can see it though...

Ok it looks like the pics didn't load. Sorry. I have figured some of it out - cameras and computers - not so much...

Miriam,

Reduce the pics to 800x600 then email them to me and I'll post 'em for you. If you can't reduce them you'll have to send them to me one at time. My server has limits.

Joe

I have no clue how to reduce them. I sent them to Joe.
I also posted pics on the vintage sewing machine shop - seems like they came up there just fine.

Yes, I have the manual and the cams that go with. I haven't yet tried it out as there is a wire that needs to be taped. It came in a cabnet with a knee controller. Two plug in wires. One for the knee controller, I assume, and the other for the light. Once I get that bare wire taped, I will try her out. She is also a green machine.

The reason it took so long for me to answer this thread, my computer was so clogged with junk, I had to do some fixing on it.

Claudia

I got my Phoenix to sew. You have to put the bobbin thread through a little loop - I missed that the first 65 times I tried - I finally said Uncle and looked it up on line and got that fixed. I'm wondering what needle it takes. Mine has a needle image on the slide plate - much smaller than the needle in the machine. It says 1738 so I wonder what that means. If it is smaller, why does the needle in the machine work? I haven't tested the decorative stitches yet - I still need to get power to the machine. It's table is at the shop and the machine is at home... I think I might fall in love with this one.

Miriam,

Here are some of the pictures you sent to me of the Phoenix.

I hope that they show up.

Cathy

[ATTACH=CONFIG]374228[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374229[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374230[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374231[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374232[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374233[/ATTACH]

Wow Cathy - you did the impossible!!!
Top picture - a little lever releases the bobbin hatch
The bobbin in it's case lifts out and in - the bobbin threads like a normal bobbin then there is a hole in one of the little fork like things for thread to go through
In the back of the machine is a cam stack - the lever on the top releases it
it came out very easily - I think there should be a way to take them on and off - mine is on very tight right now
Then I reinstalled the cam stack. The cam stack controls are on the front of the machine next to the stitch length regulator. The machine takes industrial type round shank needles but regular needles will go in - very hard to get out though. If you get the industrial type needles you have to make the needle hole line up just so. Not hard to do once you have done it.

Must not have been impossible, as I did do it. :DBut it did take some work.:thumbup:

Cathy

I should try to put up a picture of the bobbin threaded correctly some time.
I'm liking this machine. This is not some hohum piece of junk.

This also does a nice quality stitch.

Miriam,

Here are few more of your pictures of the Phoenix.

Cathy




[ATTACH=CONFIG]374251[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374252[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374253[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374254[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374255[/ATTACH]

I was given one of these machines....what an old workhorse! I've learned (kind of) how to use it by trial and error....and by finding a manual online for a 282 which is slightly different. There is a manual available online for the 283F (my one)..but I don't want to pay for it. Do one of you actually have a manual that goes with this beauty?

(....I can't believe I've found someone else with the same machine!!)

For me this one was love at first sight - no manual yet. Just that little brochure. I think I found that same manual you found. This machine isn't too hard to figure out is it? I still have to get mine plugged in - the table is at the shop and the machine is here. I'm thinking the machine is STAYING here. The table is going to have to come home. The table is very well made too. I got a nice assortment of accessories with my machine but only one bobbin. I found two more in the shop that fit nice. I still need to clean the lint out of that nooks and crannies.

can you post a full-on picture of it yet? I too am fascinated.

page 1 window #5 has a nice pic

You're right Miriam....not too difficult to figure out, you've just got to sit and play around. I must say though, the pictures here helped me hugely yesterday when I was fiddling around! I have managed to track down a guy in Germany who has a manual - in German!! - and I've asked if he's able to email a copy to me....I figured that even the pictures might help a bit.

http://rudolfcouture.com/wardrobe/in...d=49&Itemid=39
at the bottom is a link to a manual. (it is in red) It is for a different phoenix machine (282) but it was some help here.

Hi all
I've just found one of these machines - the 283F which has a curved wooden thingamy (seriously can't think of the name of it right now!!) - but DCThompson, hopefully you will know what I'm talking about. I'm just wondering what you think of the machine in terms of how it sews, does it work well? I can't decide whether to buy it or not. I'm in love with the idea of it, but I'd also like a machine that sews well. I'd love to know your thoughts!
Cheers,
Amelia