Cabinet swap
 

I picked up a 15-91 for 20.00 today and I want to put my rocketeer in that cabinet. This cabinet has the spring loaded metal plate in the right hand side. It appears if I remove that my rocketeer would fit. What purpose does that serve, can I just remove and is there an easy way to get to the single screw that has a bad angle due to the spring location

That metal plate is a lift/assist for the machine. Yes, it comes out easily. You can remove the large bolt first that the spring is coiled around and that part comes out and then remove the plate. I always take pictures before I begin for reference to put things back if I want.

The Rocketeer will then fit the hole but there is a modification you need to do to the lip that supports the machine along the front side. Macybaby described it in one of her posts but I don't remember where that was...I haven't made that particular substitution although I have played a lot of Musical Chairs with cabinets.

to get it to fit, you may need to trim the wood front support lip. That may work on it's own, but if not, you'll need the special front support clips for it. The back brackets will work with no changes.

I've yet to need to resort to taking off the large coil bolt - some took some doing, and an assortment of screwdrivers . . . but if you aren't going to use it somewhere else, then taking off the coil bolt may be simpler.

I would put something heavy in that cabinet and keep that lift going - it is hard to get them back in once you take them out. You may be able to get a different cabinet for the rocketeer.

Well I have a 201 (my favorite fm machine) in cabinet with lift. I have a 15-91 In a non-lift cabinet but that opening won,t fit the rocketeer. I am in Iowa now you would think there would be lots of machines tucked in grandma's attic but I don't find them often. More plastic machines in cases. I do a lot of appliqué which is what I use the rocketeer for and on a table it is high for me (I'm a 5ft vertically challenged gal) which is why I would like to drop it into a cabinet. I got the rocketeer from my son who got it in Maine for me. If I am looking for a rocketeer cabinet what kind of singer machine m I likely to find in it? Also I don't lower my machines often I leave them up and push them around the room as I use them which is why I was ok with losing the lift.

I hope you find a cabinet for your Rocketeer. My advice is to routinely check your local thrift stores, Salvation Army, Goodwill and Habitat For Humanity Restore (if you have them). Even if you don't see any at first, just stop by routinely. Machines seem to disappear quickly in my area (and not only because of me) but one would think they never appeared in the stores if you didn't notice how quickly they come and go. Ask the clerks if they get any in. Check craigslist regularly and look for good deals on ebay (which isn't usually priced well) but select ebay's search criteria to search distance closest to you.

As to what other machines will have cabinets that fit your Rocketeer, the 401, 500 and 503 are interchangeable. If you get a 401, it will be just like using your Rocketeer. I think the 404 is also the same (don't have one). Also, I think the 327 or 328 have the same base. I also think the 600 series machines have cabinets that will work (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). So you could search for 603 as well. I don't have any later than than a Rocketeer to check.

Then you can search ebay for those machines and look at the cabinets and you'll start to recognize the ones that should work for your machine. Also do a google image search for "singer 500 cabinet," "singer 401 cabinet," etc. and you'll have a good idea what you're looking for. Some ads will have bad pics or cabinets with no mention of what machine model so recognizing the different types helps. There's a desk style that appears commonly with the 401/500s that you might like as it has storage drawers for cams/accessories.

There is also a card table that will fit them. However, I recently saw a Featherweight card table for $5.00 and it just seemed unstable. I don't have a FW and it's not on my wish list so I didn't get it but it also showed me that I don't want a card table. I like stable and sturdy.

Good luck and hang in there. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time and luck helps. Of course, I might not be the best person to give advice because apparently I have an addictive personality and may encourage you to acquire a herd. :)

John