how do you focus your "I'm a collector" magnetism to certain machines?
 

I just got this from a friend who was in a financial bind.

I have NO room for this "new-fangled" contraption! (I collect pre-1885 machines)

sheesh.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]402875[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]402869[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]402868[/ATTACH]

My general rule is that if a machine looks good enough to eat, I want it.

That machine looks as though it would eat me.

LOL, My DD just referred to it as a "Star Trek Wannabe" LOL

I've had a few of those type machines-those that just aren't me and I repair, clean, oil, refurbish them and pass them on to someone who will use and love it. I've given away several machines this year to college students that were wanting to sew and who could afford machines. I bet if you look for a good home, you'll find one.

I may be different but I like that look. And the cabinet is wonderful. Would love to have that.

I agree with Muv ... that machine holds no interest for me.

Although I have two vintage electric machines (a 15 and a 15 clone), I personally want to focus on treadles. For me the attraction is in the pure mechanics of the machines (without electricity), for my husband the interest is in the treadle irons. We are always on the lookout for *interesting* and unique irons, even if the irons only are for sale - we can build a cabinet around it and drop a machine in it.

If it makes you feel better, you own the first "domestic" sewing machine ever sold by SEARS.

Hi Dan
Sears has been selling domestic sewing machines since the 1890's. I think the first Domestic was the New Minnesota A after Davis or the Franklin. Here's an article in Ismacs on the different Sears machines:
http://www.ismacs.net/sears/sears.html

Steve--Kind act to take a sewing machine neither you or your friend is interested in and give him a few bucks for.

Jon

OMG .... That looks exactly like the machine I learned to how to sew.. cabinet and all.

For me I'm pretty loose as far as criteria goes. If the machine adds something to our sewing machines or does something others don't do, or it interests me, or makes me curious, I'll go for it. For instance the Featherweights don't do anything other better SS machines do, and they don't interest me at all. But I got one for my wife cos she's wanted one all her life. And she hasn't used it since she got it.

I have one of those Kenmores. Mine is a 120-812 I believe and is brown crinkle and a portable. It is one of the best sewing machines I have. Runs quiet, smooth, makes good stitches and isn't finicky at all.

I'd rate it as the equal of many Singers, and better than many others of it's time.

I thought these were made by White as they use the same bobbin as many White machines do.

Joe

I take them, oil them up, and gift them to youngsters.

I love it Steve!
I'm interested in machines that have something unique or quirky about them - but they have to work well, too.
I think my collecting style is just like yours Joe! I'd love to know what other machines you have in your collection.

Sometimes we do things out of desperation. You can just tell her that you don't collect that brand and are running out of room anyways!

If I like it, I need it! I love vintage Singers and have them ranging from 1907 to 1951. I also love the mid century colored machines. It just depends on what strikes my fancy on any given day.

I must admit I am a sucker for all of them!

Sometimes when I see a machine I just have to have it. That's all there is to it. My Elvis (Avi) took my breathe away. It was like I was looking at a car.

Funny, Cathy (Mizkaki) said the same as to the quality of these machines. I have not sewn with it. The feet do look "white-ish"

Yeah, I need to find this one a new home soon.

Steve,

IF:

A; I didn't have so many I can't walk through the house already
B; I'm 2,000 miles away
C; My spouse would clonk me in the noggin
D; I didn't already have one ( what's that got to do with anything ... right )

I'd take it off your hands. If only for the box of attachments. My machine don't have any.

Joe

Steve,

I forgot to add; thread that machine up and try it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how nice it sews.


frudemoo,

I've got Singers from the early 19-teens up to around 91 or so, but mostly in the mid 1900s. A couple New Homes, several Kenmores of various designs, and many Japanese machines.
There is treadles, cabinet electrics, portable electrics, and one poor hand crank 99K that doesn't have a home.

Too many to list individually.

Joe

Joe, If nobody else shows interest I would gladly ship you the attachments box.

A. sounds like a "space utilization" issue not a "too many machines issue" hehe (are you sure we need a kitchen....??)
B. "2000 Miles" is no excuse... I am shipping and receiving whole treadle units these days....
C. Ok, this one is good.
D. as you pointed out, irrelevant! hehe

Steve,

Just for my curiosity, what does it cost to ship an entire treadle machine?

Let me know if no body comes for it, I'd love to have that box of attachments.

Actually it's a case of too small of a house. This is more like a doll house than a real house.

Joe

I wouldn't be surprised to see your friend ask to buy it back in the future. Or maybe you could make a gift of it to your friend later. That machine is a beauty! And to have all the attachments is wonderful. But do check on that wiring; it doesn't look so good to me.

As far as storage, think vertically. Do the legs come off the cabinet?

I have several machines and one cabinet I would buy if I found a good machine and had the money. Other than those, I restrict myself to machines I actually use. I don't have more space, so I don't buy many machines these days. People give me machines and I repair them and pass them on.

Joe,

Send me a PM. I will gladly make up an attachment set for you. I just need o know exactly which machine you have and what attachments you need.

Cathy

Cathy,

Will do. Probably a bit later today.

Joe

Joe,

I find that it is about $30-$50 per box. depending on the packaging level and machine type.
($30 is Willcox & Gibbs head, $50 is 20's era New Home Head, as an approximation)

1 for cabinet
1 for machine
1 for irons
1 for Coffin top (if so equipped)

It looks exactly like my Mom's machine that I learned to sew on too! Yes, even the cabinet. I wish I still had it.

He will not be asking for it back, He got a walking foot machine about 6 months before getting laid off. And he lives in a second floor apartment, so VERY little room

Oh, for sure on the wiring.

I could find room for it if it was a 1885 or earlier. just no interest in the electrically powered machines. (NO I will NOT set this up as a treadle.... hehe)

Funny; I DO collect the friction drive machines, like that one. My very first one sat in the dining room under the extra chair and put out The Call, and now I have seven (I think) of them! I think they're cool mechanically, and fun to dink around with, although for daily sewing I like my Singer 403 and the FW best. Kenmore in particual had a run of friction drives. I have several, but none of them blue. Nice machine!

That would be from $120 to $200 dollars per machine. YIKES!!!!!!!! Still cheaper than gas to drive to CA, but also still more than my budget can afford.
Thanks for the info.

Joe

Joe, I agree for most machines, but when you are collecting really early machines, you kinda have to take them where they are found/offered. Or wait YEARS for one to show up on my side at a sensible price...

I just shipped the Jones Treadle to Texas and I am starting to break down the W&G treadle I have now for shipment.

I would rather sell it to a collector for $150 + Shipping than sell it locally to some dipsnort for $300-$400.

Just my attitude towards it.

Ahhhhh, well since I'm not a collector ............... does that mean I'm a ... a.... a ...... di .... oh no I can't say those words > ".."<




Joe

Right... Of course you are not....

Steve,

I knew what you meant, I was just teasing.

When I "collect" something it's as a user of the item. To me the experience of using a 1909 vintage Minnesota Model B, or writing with a 1928 Parker Senior Doufold fountain pen, or driving a 1927 Chevy 2 door, is far greater than having it sit in a display case or room looking pristine and sparkling new.

I've always said: "If I can't use it, I don't want it."

Joe

If it weighs less than 50 pounds you can send machines by Greyhound bus. I shipped a Pfaff 130 to California from TN for 35.00. It was only the head because those suckers are heavy. Including the plastic tote and the 2 new bed pillows I used to pack it, the total weight was 49.3 pounds. It got to California just fine. The nice thing about going Greyhound is once the package is on the bus it stays on the bus; they switch drivers - not buses.

I figured you were...

I have the SAME attitude. None of my machines are "under glass". If they don't work, they are still "in the shop" till they do.

...and I drove the heck out of my 66 Barracuda and my 67 Dart GT 'vert after they were finished getting fixed up.

I collect mainly Singer round bobbin treadle machines from 1910-1960ish and lately have fallen in love with the Pfaff treadles from the 1950s era. I've tried using the long bobbin machines, found that I don't really like them for ease of use. All of my machines are in fairly good condition. I've had a couple that were a bit rusted, but not too bad. I am primarily a quilter, so its important that my machines sew well.
Sharon

Hi Sharon
Do you have a Singer Model 15 in your collection? I'd love to know more about how they sew (I'm looking at a 1939 model) and I'm trying to compare it to an 1895 model 27-2 - but have no idea what the differences are! Like you, using the machine is all important :) It will be my first Singer treadle purchase so it's hard to know what to look for. Everyone has highly recommended the 201K but I'm also interested in something more decorative.
Cheers,
Amelia

I'd kill for that cabinet...

i buy those kind of machines .....at yard sales etc ...then share them with some of our young folks in hope some will carry on

to bad you are not in southern indiana area i have an extra one in the garage