My garage sale scores
 

These aren't really what CD would call Whack-A-Mole finds but it was still a really good day!

First stop was a "moving sale" where the seller had said she had a machine that was "old and heavy". It turned out to be a Montgomery Ward model 1950 convertible flat bed machine. It had the manual, case, cams and a nice box of feet including a walking foot and I was able to get it for 5.00. I can never say no to a 5.00 machine. :thumbup:

Next we went to the salvage shop at the dump and I grabbed an oak chair that is sister to the one I picked up last month. The last one cleaned up really well and is really nice as a sewing chair so I decided to get another. This one has a stain on the seat, so hopefully it cleans up just as well. 5.00 for the chair.

Then I dropped off hubby and headed to a storage locker where the owner sells things he's gotton from estate sales. This place typically frustrates me because the sewing machines are missing cords and over-priced but I was going to peek though a quilter's fabric stash for some neutrals for a quilt I am starting. They had less than usual there and I learned they were given notice to clear out so prices were down. They still had a Singer 403a that I had asked about before. It was missing cords and foot controller, sitting in a case bottom that was cracked and the needle doesn't move. They had previously been asking for 75.00. :hunf: Today it was marked 15.00. :thumbup: I was able to get the machine and a Touch and Sew box with cams and some feet for 10.00. I spent another 10.00 on a goodly amount of quilting fabric before I left.

All in all, not a bad day at all for 30.00. Oh! Annnd I got a bag of broken cookies at the bakery for free! No photos of the cookies though. :o

You did great! Lucky you to still have garage sales, they are done until spring in my neck of the woods. Love the chair too!

Can't go wrong with a $5 machine!!

Love a good deal. Well done for $30

Lucky you!

Nice machines for low prices? Score!!

Have you tried lowering the feed dogs, raising and or removing the presser foot then trying to remove the throat plate then the slide plate? You just might be able to see why the needle won't move. Just a thought.

I've been too busy to do more than wipe it down yet, but the needle is broken so my first guess is the part that broke off might just be jammed inside the bobbin case. i can't wait to troubleshoot!

Christy, the 403A is a great machine. Sure hope you can get it going. I noticed some of the white cams -- if those are flexi cams, my son says they don't work in a 403! I'm sure you know that, but had to put in my 2 cents worth! Lubrication, lubrication, lubrication -- oil and oil and oil! LOL!
Jeanette

I am a bit of a collector when it comes to the mid -century Singers so I'm familiar with the sister machines. I have the 301, 401, 500 and 503. :D I'd still love to find a 404.

Nah, I knew the white flexi cams wouldn't work in it but the black ones will so I wanted those!

Kenmore Gal, We are pretty done with yard sales too. The salvage shop down at the dump has an indoor sale once a month. The storage shed place does business every weekend but usually the prices have been too high. Once in awhile you find people moving and needing to sell quickly and those can be good, but I didn't see a single outdoor yard sale today. It's been raining and raining and raining here lately.