My New Sewing Machine a Singer 15 NL
 

Not sure what the NL is and I'm trying to find somewhere that I can check into the serial number to see what I bought. Hopefully it's good and I haven't wasted my money. It seems loud when it sews but maybe a good oiling would cure that? Anyone have any ideas or info?

wow, pretty machine

It has been taken care of really well and the lady I got it from didn't really use it much, so not sure how much it was used before she got it. The decals are in really good shape.

Love the decals. That looks like a very special machine. Keep us posted when you get more information.
Sue

Hi - Look at the Singer Sewing Machine Company website for the serial numbers. You have a later (1980-1990's) made in China model that was made to look vintage. It is not "bad", but just not quite as good as an original American made Singer. They are kind of pretty with those flashy decals. I hope that no one represented to you that it is "vintage" or "antique", because it's not. But for just straight sewing it should be fine.

Beautiful machine whether it's vintage or not.

That is a cute machine. Indeed looks like a reproduction. Have fun!!!!!!

Now I'm kicking myself for buying it. Sounds like I bought a piece of junk if it was made in China. Actually says Taiwan on the label, but same difference. So irritated.

Did they tell you it was vintage?

The ad said 'replica' of the original Singer but I guess I didn't "see" that and I certainly didn't think it was made in China, I thought it was a real Singer. I should have done more research before I bought it. Certainly won't do this again!

I hope you did not pay too much. If it has not been used alot and it works it should give you years of pleasure. Enjoy! Don't feel bad. I would not consider it a piece of junk by any means. It is very usuable. I think these are used over in third world countries and they make many of the purses and clothing on it for designers. If they can do that I am sure they are suitable for quilting or patching.

Don't despair yet! Here is a link to website showing different Singer decals. That looks just like the one called the Sphinx or Egyptian. I would check a little further before being so dismayed!

http://treadleon.net/oldtreadleonia/...ls/decals.html

look at it this way, it's fairly new, and if it's a true replica - meaning made with METAL gears, it will last as long as you do!
which is a whole lot better than a plastic piece of junk...

You liked it before you knew it was a rep, right? ;) :)

Look at it this way. You have a machine that you don't have to worry about the decals on, and you can sew your heart out on it!
Keep looking...you'll get the vintage machine you want, at the price you want. They're out there...and at least one of them has your name on it! :)

Thank you guys, you are so awesome! It does have all metal parts to it and it is very pretty. I don't think it has ever been used at all. I'm going to keep it and do some sewing on it for fun, while I wait for my vintage to come along. You have made me feel a lot better about it and it was less than 100 dollars.

Thank you! :-)

It's a pretty machine.

I bought this Singer 15 NL machine, too, but the funny thing is bought it *in Taiwan*. I talked to the shop's owners before buying and they assured me that Singer had a factory here years ago and the machine is legit. (They've been in business for about 60 years and were open during Taiwan's textile heyday.) My machine was made in the late 70s (the booklet that came with it is dated '73).

I'm not singing the machine's praises though! It's terribly loud. And tonight I broke a needle and now I can't get the stupid bobbin to catch. Argh.

By the way, Taiwan isn't China and "Made in Taiwan" means something very different than "Made in China".

I have one of these Machines... I picked mine up for $40 from an old lady from Taiwan that had it for 15 years. Knowing it is a replica I still have a lot of fun with it. I got a great looking machine that works really well and I didn't break the bank...

That would be the important part, being happy with the machine! :)

It's beautiful, has all metal parts, What's not ta like????:thumbup:

Singer: I just purchased a Machine almost like this one
 

The serial number is: NLT 7011310, I have been told it's a reproduction, I'm also still trying to find out more info. Singer is on the machine plus underneath, metal gears, motor and is Black with Gold color decals. In the center of the base is also gold decals surrounding a bird in flight.
I will add photo when I can. I wouldn't have purchased it if I had known it's a reproduction.

Singer: I just purchased a Machine almost like this one
 

I forgot add, does anyone know if there are attachments & manual available for this, since it is a reproduction??? The one I got didn't have anything with it? I paid $30.00 for mine and is in absolute mint condition.

Really pretty!!! Love the decals and if it's all metal gears I'd say you have a winner for under a hundred bucks.

The reproduction manual I've seen were just basically two pages that told you how to thread it,etc.. not much to write home about. Any short shank fiddly bits should work, if you own a Featherweight those fiddly bits will fit.

Cari

manual
 

Sadly I don't have a 221 … out of my pocket range.

I collect vintage singers and if I had seen that even knowing it was a REPRO I'd buy it...just for the decals and look...
I bought the REPRO featherweight anniversary 160 a few yrs ago and that baby is a work horse and loud even though it doesn't look anything like a real featherweight...I use it more then my $1000.00+ machines...
Enjoy it and admire the beauty of it...

It is a real Singer. As I understand it, Singer is now owned by the Chinese and this machine is still sold to 3rd world countries that don't have reliable electricity.

Here's a manual that should tell you most everything you need to run the machine. On a vintage 15, you have to turn a knob on the bottom to drop the feed dogs. On this one, the knob to drop the feed dogs is on the bed next to the bobbin spool. (That knob is what tells you it's not a vintage machine.)

The manual: http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...al-rotated.pdf

Most of the accessories from the Singer 201, 15, 66, 99 and featherweight should work on this machine. They are everywhere and usually cheap as hardly anyone sews anymore (I think I have 4 buttonholers for this machine). Check auction sites, thrift stores, goodwill, etc. Feet are just short shank feet which are sold most everywhere.

bk

This link didn't work, but I've seen it before. The reproduction machine has reproduction Sphinx decals. The difference is the color of the decals. That bright loud gold didn't exist until the 70's.

Hope it's a good machine for you, prarie girl.

Are you still looking for this information? I have one I purchased at a thrift store that looked like it was never used, had all the attachments and papers, including the "sew cloth" that used to be included. I can check for this if you still are looking.

I have this machine with serial number NLT 7011310 … purchased at Antiques store early last spring. I lost interest with even trying to use , once I found out that it was possibly made in Taiwan, Singer had given them permission to make this machines after WW II. The machine itself is in excellent condition, their were no attachments in the case. I would like to know more about the machines themselves.[ATTACH=CONFIG]607609[/ATTACH]

First, let me correct a bit of misinformation. Singer didn't give anybody anything. Other countries were building round bobbin machines long before WWII as Singers patent on it had run out.
The 70s and the 90s brought the official "nostalgia" Singer reproductions to the US and they were built in China, Taiwan and I think somewhere else. I own a Brother nostalgia machine, a hand crank 15 class from 1976. 15 class knock offs have continuously been built in countries around the world this whole time, they're still being built.

Cari

what a beauty! Those decals are amazing.

I paid $20 for one of mine! Just keep your eyes open.

Well here is my Singer NL. I got it from the GoodWill. When I first saw it, I recognized the Sphinx decals, and what great condition they were in, so I snatched it up and paid $29.00 for it. I got it home and started looking at it closer and immediately thought this was not a real Singer. I was confused by the decals and the machine itself. I had already sold my other Sphinx so I had nothing to compare this one to but the machines looked totally different. I then thought someone took a generic class 15 Clone and put Sphinx decals on it and sold it off to some unsuspecting Joe/Jenny. I started researching the serial number on the metal plate and came up with nothing. Then I saw the model number 15 NL cast in the bottom of the machine. One last internet search brought me here. I am glad because at least now I have a bit of information on the machine. I was about ready to list on eBay for sale, but now that I have some history, I am going keep it. It really is a nice looking machine and sews great!
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Prairiegirl, this is how I look at it when I realize I could have looked a little bit more before I leaped. I just chalk the money I spent on the item up as tuition in the School of Hard Knocks. If it makes you feel any better, you can always take a piece of paper, write down everything you've learned from buying this machine, and at the top write Syllabus. It will still be cheaper than any college class you can take, so you're at least getting a good deal there!! See? Silver lining Found!

If this doesn't work, maybe a glass of wine will. :D

For all of you with these reproduction machines, or anyone who is looking at one, there are a few things that will tell you it's a reproduction just by looking at it. The first, and biggest tell is the plastic feed dog drop knob on the bed. The old Singers did not have that. The old machines, if they have a feed drop at all will be a large screw underneath the bed. The almost gaudy brightness of the decals is another tell that it's either a reproduction machine or that the machine has had the decals replaced. If it's an electric machine the tell is the modern plastic electrical connection on the machine, it looks nothing like the old 3 pin style Singer used to use. The upper tension assembly is another tell. It's very easy to see that it's modern plastic. There are other ways to tell a reproduction machine but these things are always what I first notice when looking at one.

Cari

At least on these reproductions, the badge on the front shows the modern Singer logo, not the shuttle and thread logo found on vintage machines - another way to identify a modern reproduction.
Pat
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Sorry for cluttering up the thread with multiple photos. Had trouble adding a photo -- it didn't show on my iPad so tried several times. Apparently it was added each try. So embarrassed! I asked the admin for help to remove them so hopefully they will disappear soon!

Hello CaffeineAssisted,
I recently purchased a Singer reproduction 15 machine. Would you happen to have a manual for this machine? Thank you.

Kendall, CaffieneAssisted has not been back to QB since posting. Probably the manual bkay linked to will work. There is also this page https://manuals.plus/singer/15-class...achines-manual but I think there may be a typo, as it says to use a 16x1 needle but it should be 15x1 needle. There is also a manual available for sale at https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/in...nger-15nl.aspx

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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