Is this machine worth messing with?
 

I found this 42 cabinet on CL this weekend. I really want one of these cabinets. This one doesn't look too bad, although there is no stool. It's close, so I hope to go look at it tomorrow.

What about the sewing machine? Is it worth anything? I know nothing about Riccar machines.

bkay

I had a Riccar back in the day but now I really couldn't tell you much about it except that I made a lot of clothes on that machine.

I generally think it's well worth cleaning and oiling a machine to try it out. I don't invest too much money and effort into a model I don't think is worth it, but I'm not very strict. I allow a few plastic gears on some models (my favorite vintage Berninas and an Elna Supermatic has one or two palstic gears). Replacing a missing bobbin case or pedal is usually not too much if it looks promising. A different model would look better in the table though, a 201?, 15 or 319? ;- )

The table likely didn't have a Riccar from the beginning... An old black Singer should fit just fine. As far as the machine goes, some riccars have the old cloth and cleat belt and once they rot the belts aren't available but you don't know until you look. That most likely has a plastic cam stack since it has a pattern selection knob.

Yep, that's what I had in mind
 

I have a 201-2 in an ugly cabinet that I'd like to put in one of those cabinets. I wish it had the stool, though. I haven't seen one with a stool for less that $350.00. Of course, those were pristine with pristine machines in them, too.

Thanks,
bkay

My first machine in 1962 was a Riccar. I used it for about 13 1/2 yrs. Very happy I traded it for a Singer 778 that is still my primary machine. The Riccar had many problems and was not fun to use,. Buy it for the cabinet, test the machine it may be of the boat anchor variety.

I just sold this same cabinet w/o a machine for $175 -my brother bought a Riccar for my SIL years back and it looks like the same one and it was possessed by evil spirits according to her-our repair guy would not take it in to fix it-he said the only thing they were good for is either a dust collector or a door stopper.

I have a similar Riccar and it is a very nice machine but mine is just ss/zz so no cam stack to worry about. Mine requires a manual to get the most out of it. That one looks worn so it is either going to be very good or broken. I'm betting on broken since it has the plastic cam stack. But it has been well used which indicates that one was not possessed by evil spirits. $350 seems a bit much for that set up though. The stool I had with my desk bit the dust one day while I was sitting on it. I don't think I even sneezed and over it went.

No, Miriam, it's only $60.00. In the photo, it has a taped price of $60.00, so I assume it's been in a garage sale at $60.00.

I pretty well talked myself out of it. I'm still working full time, so don't have a lot of extra time. (What time I do have, I try to spend on quilting.) I have a several project machines and cabinets in the garage and this would just be another one. Pretty soon, you won't be able to get into the garage at the rate I'm going.

I bet she would take $40.00 if she still has it. I haven't looked for it since Monday.

bkay

I have the same cabinet from a yard sale with a 301 in it. It just needed a little cleaning.