Rockateer
 

I found a Rocketeer today at a garage sale. It was in a particle board cabinet and the man said it was a White Rotary. When he opened it, I said "I'll take it". Later that day I went back and bought the White Rotary too. I'm in the process of cleaning the Rocketeer and will try to post pictures. You never know what you will find. Just ask at the door. "Any fabric or sewing machines"? Are there any pitfalls with these machines?

Pitfalls with the Singer 500A Rocketeer or a White Rotary? Nah, only that they're addictive :D . I have two 500As and several White made machines. I like them all.

The Singers will need lots of internal cleaning if they're gummed up from sitting. I've had to use Denatured Alcohol and Hoppe's #9 on the inside of mine. Both were gummed up almost solid. After getting them freed up sew with them using every cam position and floating the moving parts with Tri-Flow. Once they're loosened up use them occasionally and keep them freed.
If you pull the cam stack to clean it and the gear under it as well as the plunger to the bottom left (recommended) there is NO need to take the cam stack apart. It can be cleaned with a tooth brush and a small bottle brush while assembled.

As for the White Rotary, they're a good solid simple machine. Only odd thing is they rotate opposite the Singers.

Joe

Donna,

There is also a Singer 503 that looks 99% exactly like the 500A, but it doesn't have the internal camstack. Just FYI.

Here is a GW auction of a box of top hat Singer cams that will fit your machine:
{ http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions...-21152283.html }

I've picked up quite a few of these accessories boxes for the components and cams. I have quite a few slant shank machines.

Joe

If you don't have the manual you can download one from Singerco.co. I think the manual is a requirement for the Singer Slant-o-matics (400 and 500 series) and Touch & Sews (descended from the 400 and 500 series machines) if you want to get the full use out of your machine. They will do a lot but aren't really intuitive to use.
Congrats on your Rocketeer! If it sews as well as my 401A you'll love it.

Make sure you post the White too.
Rodney