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Questions about The Free Sewing machine

My newest acquisition is a Free long shuttle rotary, serial # is C326057.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606547[/ATTACH]

While researching the machine, I came across a post here by leonf, that said that one of his Free rotociollos had ball bearings and one did not. I have been cleaning, and mine doesn't seem to have them either. This has me wondering why some do and some don't - date of manufacture? price? other reasons? Hoping that Leon or some other of you knowledgeable people can enlighten me. Any information on the machine, dating, etc, would be much appreciated.

Also curious about the treadle cabinet, the thing that attracted me in the first place. So far I haven't found one that looks like this one, wondering if it's a later model, or not a Free cabinet, although it is similar to the ones I have seen, it opens the other way. Doesn't have the Free brand on it anywhere that I can find.I sure do like it, though, it fits into a small space when closed.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606551[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]606552[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606594[/ATTACH] This is a FREE rotoscillo mechanism without ball bearings.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606595[/ATTACH] This has the bearings. I am assuming the bearings are newer. I don't know dates and prices vary greatly.

Sorry about the fuzzy 2nd pic. My cabinets are different.

ps welcome aboard. and FYI rotary in general means round, not long bobbins.. Do you have the missing slide?

Yes, the first thing I did was tuck the slide, shuttle, and bobbin safely away in the accessories box, before we even took it out of the cabinet to transport. Didn’t want to misplace them.

Cari is right, it says Free Long Shuttle Rotary right on the front of the machine in pretty gold letters 😊.

I ran across a blog somewhere that was comparing serial numbers and estimating dates, but after I got the number off my machine I can’t find the darn thing again. Someday I will learn to bookmark these things, maybe.

Thanks for the articles, Janey, so mcuh to learn. Better pic of the bearings. [ATTACH=CONFIG]606679[/ATTACH]