Opinion Needed on 1878 Wheeler & Wilson in Coffin Top Cabinet
 

This one is listed on CL but no pictures. I spoke to the seller and it came from an estate. He said it was in excellent condition, with all original paperwork and attachments. Only needs a new belt...the original belt is still on it but worn. He's sending me pics in the morning. He's asking $150.

If all the above is true, is $150 a good price? I've read so much about so many machines, I can't keep it all straight!! LOL

In my opinon if all is true---SOLD! Post pics if you get her. Good luck.

Absolutely a good price if it's got all those goodies!! You could probably sell the attachments for $50 to $75.00 depending on what's there. The manual would most likely bring $30 to $45 by itself...
Go for it! :)

If you can post the pictures here after you get them, I'm sure people can give you enough good info to make a decision. :)

One thing to look out for is the type of needle required. I would love to have the high arm on a W&W No. 9, but the needles aren't standard and the right ones are hard to find at good prices. There are packages of three on eBay for $10 plus postage - who wants to pay $4-5 per needle?

I'm guessing that if the machine is 1878, that it's a model 8. The model 8 takes an obsolete, but obtainable needle. Poly is right in that they can be expensive, but they ARE out there, and if the machine is not going to be your "go to" machine, then it's not that big of a deal. If I'm not mistaken, there's a modern replacement available as well...
I don't use my W&W because the decals are fragile on these machines and I don't want to damage them more than they already are...

That being said. I would still go for the W&W over the 15-30! :)

If there is anyone in the Port Huron MI area interested in a W&W, one just came up on Kijiji this afternoon for $100. Sarnia is just across the border.

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ335718176

I learned to sew on a W&W Family #9 and I rue the day I gave it up for a brand-new electric Japanese SM. What did I know then? That was the finest machine ever and it had every attatchment availabe, the manual and a very nice cabinet. I sewed all my chilcren's clothes on that old treadle. The only problem was the needles. We had an old dime store close and they had a big round tin wheel with a dial on top and you turned that to your machine model and opened the little door and plucked out your needles. Now, I don't know where you would find them, but I am sure someone has them for sale for a price. I would pay that in a heartbeat to get another Wand W.