OK. Here is my Singer Redeye
 

WOW, she is a beauty. Since I am looking at one as well, what would you have offered???

She is really pretty, and the plates polished up beautifully! :)

Lesson time! :D See how the "I, N, G" in "Singer" are partially gone and/or silvered? That's a result of "pin rash" from wrapping a piece of wool or other cloth around the arm of the machine to stick pins into while sewing...*MANY* of our vintage/antique ladies have this "syndrome".

Several of my vintage machines still had the peice of cloth used for pin still on then with the pin rash under-----I try to think of the stories they tell-----if they were still perfect we would know that they hadn't been used...with love!

harrishs, several of mine have pin rash...and I love them all the more for it! It tells me that while they are wonderful, special girls to me, that I honestly don't need, but want, they were at one time tools to a harried housewife who made her family's clothing on them, meant to be used without regard to whether or not the decals would still be there 100 years from that time! :)

Well since she was missing some vital parts, I would have offered $100.00. But I really wanted that 7 drawer cabinet. My DD just did not know enough to dicker.

you all are killing me with your Red eyes - can't wait to bring one of them home!
have fun fixing her up!

Joann

Thanks Carolin:thumbup:

Thanks Charlee. She is the only Redeye that I have purchased. I noticed the pin rash also. I know she will clean up OK. Later on after I gain more experience I will consider doing some gold touch up. I have a really sad case 1897 Model 27 Sphinx my son bought me. She had been through a prior attemped restoration and came to me in pieces (including the cabinet). I think she will be the one to experiment on and see if I can touch up/restore the decals.

From what I can see of that cabinet, I'd love to have it too!

I should have taken a photo of it also for the before and after documentation. If, BIG IF, the weather is nice (sun is always nice but in short supply here) I will move her out and take the before pictures.

Beautiful!

beautiful machine!!

Congrats on your new toy. thanks for posting.

She's really pretty. Congatulations on acquiring her. :)

Nice machine, I love that cabinet. I have two red eyes, one in a 5 drawer and one in a 7 drawer. Both are up and running. I also have another electric Mdl 66 in a cabinet that has the grandmother of all needle rashes. Almost all the paint is gone on the left end of the arm. Right down to the bare metal. The guy I bought it from said there was a large wrap of cloth on it still filled with pins and needles when he got it. At first I was thinking of repainting it, but it sews soooo good I have to fall back on the old addage: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Joe

That machine looks like it will clean up really well.

I have 2 older redeye machines. Not so pretty with all the road rash and battle scars. I look at it like this, those machines were used. They were used a lot. It isn't road rash and battle scars. Those dings and scratches are really merit badges of achievement - projects made - whether a baby gown or a wedding dress, I don't know but those machines were used - why not be proud of them.

I think you got a beauty. Every scratch is a badge of honor. I hope your's sews as well as my 1917 Red Eye (my avatar). Congrats!!

OK...total novice here....I know with other antiques, when they are "restored", they lose value. Is it the same with sewing machines? Would repainting/restoring the decals lower the value? I loved the lesson on the rash....to me, that would make the connection to the original owner greater and the sentiment even dearer. [Please remember, I said I am a real novice....]

For me restoring means cleaning and repairing. I am sure most of us do not repaint the decals. We just clean as much of the old "gunk" off as much as possible without removing or damaging the decals. However I do have a 1893 Singer Model 27 with the Sphinx or Egyptian decals that obviously was someone's previous restoration project. Most of the decals are either missing or very silvered. The bobbin wider assembly is in pieces. This is one machine that I will consider doing a repainting and decal restoration. At this point she could not be hurt any more. The cabinet is also in pieces and needs to be put back together. This machine was a gift from my son otherwise I would not have purchased her due to her condition.

I am sure that others may have their own opinions also. Why don't you post your question as a new topic on the VSM list? You will get a lot of answers.

Most sewing machines don't have all that much 'monetary value' anyway. As far as repainting, I saw one on CL recently that had a very nice paint job - it was listed for $400 and it was gone pretty quickly. I have no idea if it sold or was just removed. If it was sold who knows what price it went for. I think it is kind of wide open - someone might just want a fancy painted up machine. I guess it kind of depends on what someone plans to do with their machine when it gets painted. I can see where it would be really fun to own a really wild sewing machine - but then again WHY???? My mom has an old FW I would NEVER think to repaint - it is in bad shape - it is our family history on there though... all kinds of nicks - she sewed everything on there.