I was at my favorite thrift store on Friday and saw this machine on sale for $19.99. I passed on it but it kept calling to me. I went back Saturday to buy it and the price was even lower, $9.99. So she came home with me.

It is called a Plymouth and was made in Japan. It does have a serial number of Z1087664. Nowhere is it marked made in Japan or a date. I do not believe that the case it came in is original to the machine because the thread post is bent. Likely the machine was mounted in a cabinet.

The wiring is good, light works, motor runs, but the machine is a little "clunky".

I did some internet research and the best information I could find is that is a clone of a Singer Model 15. Can any of you confirm the info I found? I do think it is worth taking to the local sewing machine doctor to be cleaned and fixed. What do think?

wow, very nice - looks hardly used.

That's a beautiful machine! And only $10!!! I would probably fix it up and start looking for a nice cabinet for it. Did you clean and oil it? I'm wondering if the "clunkiness" might be due to a need for oil and perhaps grease in the motor. A good techie would do all that, but you could also do it yourself with information online.

Oh she's so pretty! Great find!

Nice

She's a beauty!!

You're right about it being a Japanese clone and a very pretty one. Billy (lostn51) says the clones are better than the originals. There are tutorials for a complete cleaning, but you probably don't need anything that extensive. Find a free manual online for a 15 and use those directions for oiling, greasing and cleaning. You can remove that pretty plate on the back to get at some of the interior parts. Oil it, sew with it, reoil it and you'll be surprised how much smoother it will run. I got my manuals from sewclassic,com, but the Singer site has them, too. Is it Ismacs?

Post her picture in ther vintage machine thread. She's so pretty, she'll be appreciated.

Love it!

OOPS.

Verypretty and a super buy!

Maybe the thread post became bent because the lid was put on backwards...sometimes inside the lid there are moldings so that the lid only fits properly one way...nice machine...Naomi :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I would put some money in to it.
Very clean.

She's a beauty. Good luck finding more information on her.

Neat looking machine!

Beautiful machines. I think Billy has a tutorial on cleaning vintage machines so there might be an idea on oiling it and that spool pin can be striaghtened. However, you could still sit a spool on it too. Great looking machine. I would have jumped at the chance to get a machine at that price. Have a great day, Huggies, Fay

Beautiful machine! Great bargain too! Happy sewing!

It's a beauty!

She sure is pretty. Hope you get her to work. BrendaK

Great find. Never heard of this machine. Congrats and enjoy!

My mother had a machine like that! I wish I had it, my sister that doesn't sew took it. :(

It's beautiful! In as good a condition as this is, I would spring for a new motor and all new electrical components for it - they're not very expensive and they're very easy to put on, yourself. It will be quiet and strong and you won't have to worry about getting zapped with a short.

You can clean the underside and inside the face plate and inspection plates with q-tips dipped in acetone or denatured alcohol - work in good ventilation and don't let it drip on painted surfaces.

If do your own cleaning and maintenance, you'll get such a sense of accomplishment, plus save a lot of money - a regular COA plus a bench fee at my local repair shop is $75. A new set of electrical components won't cost much more than that.

Jenny at sew-classic.com can provide all that stuff for you, along with a replacement spool pin, new felts, tire for the bobbin winder, etc. I always check with her first to see if she has what I need.

I got an extra long spool pin from her that has a hole through the top. I can now use cone thread on a stand behind the machine and run the thread through the hole in the spool pin on the machine before threading the machine - I had been using a large-eye darning needle taped to the motor. :)

You can learn how to do your own maintenance with the tutorials at Tools for Self-Reliance - it's so much easier than you might think! :)
http://www.tfsr.org/publications/tec...achine_manual/

And the Adjuster's Manual for the 15-91 is available on the Singer site:
http://www.parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/15-91.pdf It won't match your new baby exactly, but it will be close enough to at least give you part names, if something needs replacing. :)

Have fun!

Thanks for all of your the cleaning tips. I may attempt to do this myself. The wiring is in excellent condition so that is not a worry. Ahhh, one more project to add to my list!

Nice find

$10.00. Lucky you. Looks like it has not been used much.

Pretty!

It is soooooo cute. Execellent thrift store find. I need to find your thrift store. :lol: I would probably put a little money into it. I looks hardly used, in great condition. :-D

She's beautiful! Nice and shiny.

Beautiful machine. I would just try oiling her and running for awhile. I think the clunkiness will go away. Great find and buy!

Really good point! :)

When I first started refurbishing old machines, one of my favorite things was to drench all the innards with TriFlow and push the control all the way down.

After a couple of minutes, you could hear the machine's speed jumping forward as the oil worked into dry, crusty places. It would go faster and faster and faster and after five or ten minutes, it would be up to full speed and much quieter than when it started. Such a rewarding feeling! :)

It looks almost just like the machine I got last month. It is a Sterling, also supposedly a clone. I oiled and cleaned her up and she works like a charm. From the side they look the same. It has the tension in back also.

I found this "International" for $20. My DH replaced the power cord and it runs beautifully. There isn't a lot of info on them but the replacement parts for the Singer Class 15 are readily available on the web and it's not too hard to do the basic stuff yourself. I'm so happy with mine and hope you are too.

Very pretty! I wouldn't be able to resist, either.

I get soooo jealous of all these beautiful machines you people find! Wish I could happen upon such a deal! She's gorgeous!

MY AVATAR IS A CLONE OF A SINGER MADE IN JAPAN IT IS VERY GOOD CONDITION ALSO.GREAT FIND I HAPPY FOR YOU.

That's so beautiful. I need some of the good luck from this board to rub off on me, so I can find a lovely old machine like this.

Congratulations!

Very nice! Worth putting $$ into it to have it run smoothly.

When you all fine these older sewing machines what do you do with them?

She's beautiful!!

great find.