I just don't have the patience to wait for a good vintage machine!
 

I'm so impatient! I have spent HOURS cruising ebay, craigslist, etsy, etc. for a good vintage machine. I'm so discouraged. Everything is so ridiculously priced it is unbelievable! And the things that are cheap are junked out machines that I won't be able to find parts for to fix. I went antiquing today and found nothing. :( A new machine is starting to look like the best deal. I wish I liked the old cast iron Singers! I do like the Rocketeer and the 301A is okay, but everything is so overpriced! For instance, I saw a totally junky Singer from probably the 1920's ... it was dirty, looked rusted over and it was priced at $135! I mean, REALLY? LOL

Ughh... what is a girl to do!?

Shop in different places.

Monday we brought home a Singer 338K in a nice double lid cabinet for ....... $12.50.
Tuesday we went back and picked up the 201-2 in the 4 drawer cabinet for $75.00.
Both machines needed cleaning and lubing and the 338 needed a tension part.
Both machines LOOK LIKE NEW.

In another antique shop we found a Singer 5255 (?) with a few accessories for $35.00. Looks good externally, but I have not checked it out. Could be a diamond in the rough.

On Goodwill on line auctions we've bought a number of machines that are nearly new and only needed a surface cleaning and a good oiling. Most of them cost us less than $50.00.

They are out there.


Joe

Don't get discouraged there are nice machines out there. Sometimes a diamond in the rough. For me part of the fun is cleaning up these older machines. I am learning a lot about them. This was my first CL find, she is in a parlor cabinet. She has a lot of history that goes with her; she is a beauty. You will find one, or it will find you.

Yard-sales will be starting soon! :thumbup: years ago I went to an estate sale with my mother, I said "mom, look at the funny sewing machine" the funny sewing machine was a featherweight with the end folded up. If I only knew then what I know now. geeeesh!

greyhare,

That is disgusting! Neither of my Red Eyes look that good. They both run good though. I guess that's what counts.

Seriously that is one beautiful machine. A 66-1 I believe.

Joe

"Vintage machines are like buses. Another one will be along at any time." Really, I enjoy the hunt almost as much as the machines. Don't sweat it, you'll find a good one soon.

Too bad, you don't live closer, I seen 3 nice machines in the cabinets for $100-125 asking price in my area (central Il). One or two was a 301. They are worth the price, but I only paid $30-$60 for mine.
They can be had here for around that. They are really worth waiting for.

Legwork. While I've found four of my machines on Craig's list, two of my machines have come to me "by way of mouth", (I make it well known that I want old machines...not necessarily that I COLLECT old machines, that tends to raise the price!) and the others have all come by hitting the thrift stores and antique stores.

Try putting an ad on Craig's List that you're looking for a machine, leave out the words "vintage" and/or "antique", and be specific. Example:

"Wanted: Older sewing machine for personal use. Prefer older Viking, Singer, White, New Home. Willing to pay up to $75 (or however much your budget is). "

Don't give up good things come to those who wait!!!!!

Yes, good things do come. Like Charlee, let it be known what you are looking for. I started looking over a year ago. Now I seem to find something (or be found by a machine) nearly every week. Not that I can get them all. But there are some gems out there. (This from an area where people tend to keep and use their family machines...)