Chocolate Brown Domestic Machine
 

I saw this shiny chocolate brown Domestic machine in a local store last week. The tag said it was made in 1934. It had a decent looking squarish wooden case. I know nothing about Domestics, but was intrigued by the color. Asking price was $45. What do you think?

Know nothing of them either but the color is very intriguing. And it comes with a knee bar. For those $$ how bad can it be if everything moves???

The knee bar is worth $30 by itself - though I doubt it goes with this machine (it looks like Singer). Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen anything other than Singers with knee bars for the cases like that. . .

This is a badged White machine, so it takes White bobbins, and White top clamp attachments. White took control of Domestic in the 20's, and after that "Domestic" because a badge name for White.

The manual is there and if the accessory box is too I would call it a good price. I expect a bit of work on these machiens, and I know it costs a bit to replace electrical wires, rubber tires and pulleys. If you like the machine and think you will use it it's always worth it. If the knee lever is an original set up there should be a fitting up under the lid to latch it in place. If not a new pedal is easily found, suitable vintage or brand new. In chairty and second hand stores parts often gets moved around, (even sneakily added to a machine!); the lever could belong to a machine near by. If not you will do a good deed by selling it to someone who is looking for one. I have been interested in the rotary bobbin mechanism on these White and Domestic machines, but they hardly turn up here at all.

Thanks for the feedback. I don't recall if there was a foot controller with it or not. After I noticed the friction drive roller with a big flat spot I kind of lost interest. But I now see that the roller is replaceable, so it's not a big issue to deal with. I'll try to go back and have another look at it soon.

Mickey2 - I saw another Domestic, in brown crinkle finish at another shop with a $25 price tag. I have no interest in it, but I can get you the contact information if you are.

Nothing wrong with the price, but I wonder how much it would cost to send it over seas? (I'm in Norway). It might surive the trip. After my interest fell on vintage sewing machines I noticed these early rotary bobbin machines and read some very positve feed back from someone who fixed up a treadle version of it. I have read the motor pulley can be noisy, but the treadle version is suppose to be super smooth. If a machine turns up here (I have seen later Whites and Domestic models, like two or three literally the last three years) I might get it and try to set it up with a belt driven motor if it can be converted. They are usually quiet. I have replaced a rubber pulley on an Elna Supermatic and I was lucky to get a aluminium version with rubber O-rings, very easy and and no fuzz to replaced when needed. It might work on a Domestic too? The metal bit could in theory be spray painted black or brown.

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*** Love the color.
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No doubt shipping would be prohibitive.

I've never been a fan of the crinkle finish, but this glossy chocolate is very appealing. Too bad the name on it I not "Hershey" ;-)

the one I have is not as pretty of a chocolate brown - but it's got pretty decals

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pswlhifhod.jpg

It looks nice. Most pre WWII machines I've seen have been black, with the odd exception, various green hues, brown, a greyish light blue.

...but tell us how it runs and stitches, and how it is to work on :- )