Picked up a Singer 128 'La Vencedora'
 

This machine dates to 1922 and is about 25-30 years too late for my collection, but it is OK since it is for my DD who was using a VERY tired 128 "Sphinx".

The machine was in great shape but dirty and a bit scuffed, (not scratched) so I used a "risky" process on the entire exterior. (NO, I am not sharing in public the process, it is REALLY easy to screw up a machine using it)

However, in the right circumstances it can really make a machine "pop"

With about 30 minutes of cleaning the main underneath mechanisms and inside the face, she spins like new.

I really like this decal set. I want a 1901 or earlier version in this condition... (HAHAHA)

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Beautiful machine!!! You really made that look practically new. Love the spool pin doily too. Bonnie Hunter recently posted a pattern for one of these on her blog given to her by one of her readers. Can I assume you made yours?

Wow.

So wow it almost looks fake!

Do you have any 'before' photos?

Very beautiful.

Nope, I would like to learn this process, but I swiped this from Cathy...hehe

I wish I had take a couple, but no.

The drive from Sacramento to my place is usually about 2 hours, but Sunday the traffic was so bad it took almost 4.... Spent a major part of the drive going 20 mph... I was in need of some serious "old iron therapy" so I just dove into it when I got home.

Very nice!! Your DD will be thrilled!! Great surprise for her!

Nice machine. Love those decals and the shine you put on it. Few of mine shine like that.

Ok, now a request. Will that case top fit over the machine and latch down with the hand crank installed? If so can you measure the case length x width x height? I might have to make one of my own since I've been unable to find a case that fits a 3/4 size machine with HC.

Joe

Great looking machine; love the doily too!

Joe, Yes it does. The hand crank must be "stowed" (i.e. folder in) but it fits fine.

There was a oil can and mounting clip inside the lid, but they were hitting the arm is not careful, so my DD and I opted to remove it. Kits smooth now.

I will take pics and measurements tonight when I get home.

P.S. I thought you would be all over the WW8 Ruffler posting...

Gorgeous! That's an awesome find.

She is a beauty. DD should have a good time sewing with it.
peace

That is an absolutely gorgeous machine!!!!!!!!!

here are the dimensions of the top:

Outside dimensions:
17.125(1/8)" wide
8.24" front to back
9.5" top to bottom

Inside dimensions:
15.875(7/8)" Wide
7.25" front to back
9.375 (3/8)" top to bottom

Stunning machine!

I think that is my favorite decal - definitely like it better than the 66 Redeye, and this one looks pristine. You had a great find and did a good job on the facelift.

Love your pristine decals! She is a looker! I have a La Vencedora from 1926 that I converted to a HC. Now the cover doesn't fit. Will check your dimensions. I too removed the oil can holder. Besides the decals, I love the beautiful glossy shine of the handwheel and the grapevine embossed faceplate!

Brasso and 0000 Steel wool on the metal...

I have not touched the handwheel yet.

Beautiful machine Steve. You did a wonderful job bringing out all that gorgeous color.

Beautiful! Lucky DD!

What a Beautiful machine. Your work is very nice. Steve, I am interested in the hand crank and would like to know what I should expect to pay for this type of machine. Maybe you can give me a price range. I see them on ebay all over the board on price.

thank you

Linda

I also love this decal. I've got one that has some wear on the base - it came with a mixed lot of five machines and three treadle cabinets. My observations - Hand cranks seem to be in more demand than others on ebay, especially if they have a vintage handcrank. I paid $289 for mine, but the machine is from 1895 and came with a coffin top type lid. I paid $150 for a near perfect redeye in a case, and then bought an aftermarket handcrank for it. I've seen vintage handcranks sell for $50 and up - just the crank. If you are looking for a good using machine, finding a nice one and putting a hand crank on it can be the cheapest way to go. If you want one of collector quality, I'd say to expect to pay in the $250 -$300 range. I've found many diamonds in the rough on Craigslist - however keep in mind what the fuel will cost to pick it up if you have to make a special trip. sorry about the format, at work my "enter" key won't work with this message board, so I can't put line spacing into my post.

Steve,

Thanks for the measurements.

Joe

i just won a machine off ebay like it!

Really pretty machine!!

Joe, and Steve, I thought I'd check the size of my Singer 66 bentwood top, and found it was larger than Steve was quoting.... and then the thought hit me........... 66 is full size, Joe wanted to know the size of a 3/4 size top for a hand crank. Dumb me! I measured the insides of the top for my 1924 99 with the foot control and also my 1928 99-13. Both of them have the same measurements as Steve quoted. Unfortunately I don't have the 99 handcrank to measure, but I'm thinking that it's measurements are the same. It just needs a crank that folds into the machine area, like the handcrank of my Gritzner does. Does this make sense?

The reason I was measuring my 66 is that I'm still trying to find out if my 1922 red eye started out as a treadle or a handcrank. She is in a bentwood case.
Janis

As to pricing, with one or two notable exceptions I do not pay more than $100 for a portable or head, and not over $2300 for treadles complete. Patience, and the clear understanding that there are quite literally millions out there is the key to good deals. I have to tell myself all the time "walk away...walk away...". I am not using my enter key is solidarity with Macybaby...hehe Oh and Joe, the machine with handcrank is 14" side to side

That seems to be the learning curve I am on.."Walk Away"..still learning or reminding myself that there are more out there and that I do not have to pack all the orphans home :(

I am a sewing machine junkie.... lol

Steve, do you really enjoy making us all green with envy? You find some of the most beautiful machines..... then make them glamorous...... guess I'd better locate some green eye shadow to match my skin.

To all;

I have cropped the picture to isolate the spool pin flower. It looks like either a thin yarn or a thick crochet thread with double crochets as the petals on the flower. I will find my thin yarn to try to replicate it. If successful, I will post it.

Chris

PS Love the La Vencedora decals and machine.

I keep hinting to my DD that I could be "convinced" to trade her one of my Frister & Rossmann's for this beauty, she just grins...

It has inspired me to begin a new quest. I am looking for a pre-1901 28/128 handcrank with really clean decals. I am going to set it up with the peerless VS2 buttonholer on a semi permanent basis. Basically turning it into our shows buttonhole machine

Steve

Wow, she is beautiful!

So beautiful, you did a great job cleaning this one up. Love the decals.

"Sigh" another one to add to my wish list, this machine is beautiful.

Hubby asked how many machines I could sew on at one time, hahaha, silly man. That's not the point, it's how many machines can I LOVE at one time!

this hobby is still light years better than bars and bingo!

Yeah, My mom's comment "sewing machine shops close earlier than bars...."

Beautiful! It's one of my favorite decal designs!

Brunswickgirl: I bought one on CL, last week, for $35. The guy was asking for $50 but the ad had been listed for a month so I asked if he would take $35 and he said yes!

I already have one, in this design, but I had my eye on the vintage spoked wheel plus the wooden box it was sitting in. The trick is to keep checking CL because the nice machines ARE out there and it's easier to drive to pick it up rather than pay shipping (ebay) and get a machine that has been abused in the shipping process :'(

I love this design!

I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out Chris. What a great idea! (and nice to find a crochet buddy ;)). It looks like what we call '4 ply' yarn to me (fingering?) and I definitely wouldn't use crochet cotton as the high twist/corded nature would definitely be aggressive on the finish.

Steve, I think it's very provocative of you to allude to your top-secret methods without sharing ;) .... but I completely understand. The machine looks fabulous and I'm incredibly impressed by the lengths you went to to get it. My dad HATES driving; but now that he's rewired a couple of my machines, he might start to think driving is not the worst end of the bargain :D

Amelia, Have several, probably 10, spool pin pads from crochet thread and seems to be fine or at least better than bare metal in combo with spool of thread. I have zero fine yarn so will attempt a couple of the spool pin pads at the meeting on Thursday when I need busy hands for a closed mouth! :D I now have some bedspread weight thread so am hoping that it'll work up nicely.

Chris