Recommendation for Antique machine?
 

I have my W&G Chain stitch... and now that i've discovered my Necchi is dead on arrival im rather bummed. I was hoping to have a reliable (lock stitch) work horse that i cant kill... since my new (as in new electric machine thats probably less then 10 years old) hates me and im always having problems with the bobbin! i thought an antique would be a better idea vs the newer computerized ones. due to being heavy duty and sturdy and hopefully easier?? i dont know.

i know the first and for most suggestion will be Singer. which is totally going to be considered... if not for popularity but due to ease of part finding. (i found 2 Singer 15 clones at a thrift store about 30 mins north of here but have not gone to see them yet. not enough time... not open on my days off etc.)

So any suggestions would be welcomed!

thanks in advance!

(and if you want to recommend a new machine that a newbie like me cant possibly kill and that i can finish one project in one sitting you can private message me the info to keep this thread off topic free!)

Not from personal experience, mind you, but I think there might be a reason that Singer 15's are still being made after more than 120 years....

If you can get along without ZZ or patterns look for a Singer 15 or clone or 66. If you need the ZZ and or patterns look for an early Singer ZZ machine or one of the myriad of Japanese ZZ machines.

Joe

Joe, have you had any experience with Singer's zigzagger attachment?

Kitty, I've seen the Pfaff 130 recommended for a (probably literally) bulletproof zigzag machine. Again, no personal experience but generally simpler is better when it still does the job (Einstein's dictum about striving to make things as simple as possible but no simpler.)

pinkCastleDH,

Yes a bit. It works very good on my 201-2, but dismal on my HOTHER, a 15 clone. The stitch patterns are narrow but distinct on the 201 but on the HOTHER the ZZ pattern is narrow and the others is a bit wider.
The reason is the vertical stroke of the needle bar. The 201 has at least 1/4" more stroke than the HOTHER, and that affects the back and forth swing of the foot.

I haven't tried it on my Feather Weight yet.

Joe

I agree with Joe, a Singer 15 or 66, and add to that a 99. They are all workhorses and can be found a lot of places at reasonable prices.

Well I want a lock stitch but in an ideal world id love a machine that could do some other fun stitches! :3 for variety sake. There are lots of machines on my local craigslist so I wanted to research and know what I'm looking for prior to hunting.

I love my Singer 403 and my 503 machines - very simple with disks to do zz or decorative stitches. The Singer 401 or Singer 500 are a bit more complicated because all the stitches are built in.

Thanks for the suggestions. There are lots of singer 66's in my Craigslist. One is asking 150 and is treadle (with her cabinet) and looks to be in good order. A few more "antique singers" with no knowledge of what model but look to be 66's as well? Some are motorized some not. I really need time to sit down and read.

Which machines also do multiple stitches? Or rather ZZ and others? I believe it was here someone posted a video of a lovely green machine that had been converted to treadle and it was doing lovely stitches.

I wouln't trade my 66, and 99 for anything. I also have a 238 for ZZ. All were rescues, and they are part of my family. I would hit some of the thrift stores. You can try Ebay, and Goodwill online.

There are lots of old machines that will zz but most of them will not go on a treadle. Yes that 319 will treadle and zz - you might browse through the vintage photo shop - it's in the sticky and see what people have posted. The older zz machines used disks. I would use almost any older all metal zz sewing machine. Older Elna, Bernina, Pfaff made some nice machines. You do need to beware of the machines with plastic gears. I have a Bernina with plastic gears. Not my thing. I have some awesome older Kenmore machines - if you can find one with double disks - those are pretty darn cool. Some of the Kenmore cabinets had lifts - nice if you want to take a load off your back. I wish you lived close - you could stop in and see a ton of cool old machines.

It doesnt have to be a treadle. I'd like one for my room and that won't be a treadle cause it won't fit. To sit ontop of my desk. So electric is fine... BUT if there is a machine that can be converted back an forth that would be fun! I guess I will check out the sticky thread. Thanks a bunch.

There is a few clones and one or two red eyes on my Craigslist.

I wanted to add, any recommendation for a machine that has a relatively easy bobbin? Me and bobbins don't get along. Lol

I think the Singer 66 is a drop in bobbin. The 66's should also be convertable from electric to treadle to hand crank very, very easily. The 99 would be the same but it won't fit standard treadle cabinets (or any (I think) of Singer's other standard size cabinets.) The 99 doesn't weigh as much but it's still a beast :)

I like beasts - they don't vibrate off the table :) They sew through anything :) GDs think they are cute. I have a Spartan with a light and it has reverse :)

thanks so much for the suggestions. i keep scanning craigslist religiously now! Hahaha i saw a machine that might be a 99. it looks big in the pic.

http://vssmb.blogspot.com/search/label/identifying
Maybe Rain's blog will help you identify a Singer 99. I like the ones with reverse or a Spartan.

I just discovered my mothers machine. Its a Singer Touch&Sew 758! im excited to get her cleaned up.

my favorite vintage heavy machines with a few stitches.... Morse! I have a fotomatic IV, and a fotomatic III. The III is simpler and has no plastic gear; the IV has one plastic gear and is slightly more temperamental(at least for my 2 machines).
Of the singers, I prefer the 503 over the 500- just a personal preference as I hate trying to maintain/repair the cam stack if it breaks. I would much rather have a single disk that breaks and can be replaced. However the top cover is fragile- which is fine if only an adult is using it.
there are a fair amount of japanese mid century machines that had 3-4 stitches... brother, morse, capri, new home, remington, etc.
and for taking to class? I adore my little kenmore 158.1040.

Thank you! I will have to take a look at your suggestions! Thank you!

I have a Singer 328 that uses cams for decorative stitches. It is electric, but can be used on a treadle also. I just had it cleaned and the wiring checked, but I rarely use it. I have too many machines! :shock: I never thought I would hear myself say that. I am just out of room!

My floor joists are sagging as well and am hoping the flooring system doesn't fail in parts where the SM's are congregated.

Jon

We've got one of those too. Nice machine, simple and sturdy. And no plastic gears inside. My wife doesn't like it, says we should get rid of it. I won't let her. It's a good machine and as you said, is treadleable.

Joe

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have so much to look up that I'm up late every night. Bad for work (and my wallet from the enabling) but good for the spirit. Hahaha!

my primary machine is a singer 503A - the Rocketeer. it was made in the early 1960's and is an incredible machine. i got it at an estate sale in 1989 in its cabinet for $65, sewed lots of kid clothes on it, made at least 10 quilts on it, repaired cordura duffel bags and sleeping bags on it, and it's never needed anything more than oil and lubricant.

i just bought another one that is identical off of craigslist for $250 including a cabinet. my daughter wanted one. i think it will last forever.

having recently fallen into the "OHMYGOSH THESE VINTAGE MACHINES ARE SO CUTE" pit, i've bought a 15-91 and a 66 in the past couple of months, too. i can see they are fantastic too. i haven't gotten the 15-91 going yet (something is frozen inside) but the 66 is great. it cost $35 including a case and all i did was clean, oil & lube it.

the 503A has cams and a great zig-zag. oh - i've even made coats on it. i love that machine. i'd recommend it totally and you can probably find one for less. i bought the last one from someone who has a sewing machine fetish and owns a lot. can you believe that!? ;-]

Ah! I really like the rocketeer! I enjoy it's rocket shape. :) there's a few on my Craigslist. I've held off at the moment because I want to see how my mothers 758 runs. If she gives me trouble then I'll start time traveling for the perfect machine! ^_~