Vigorrelli ZZ/A Robot
 

Does anyone have any information on this machine? Is it worth getting for $10? It doesn't work at this time so it would just be to work on and see if I could get it to running, but is it worth it?

I love the color and look of it.

Oh, yes...I love it! And there are plenty of good people here to help you. Pretty, pretty sewing machine!

Anything is worth 10 dollars.LOL It is certainly pretty. If you can get it to sew, that's really good.

Go get it. Run. Don't walk.

If I remember correctly, Vigorelli was an engineer who had worked for Necchi before starting his own company, and the Vigorelli Robot was the first domestic machine manufactured with a built-in camstack for decorative stitches. It posed a problem for Singer's 401 due to patent infringement issues and there were a series of negotiations between Singer, Vigorelli and Bernina. I always think about it as The Zigzag Wars, but I suppose it's actually more like The Decorative Stitch Wars. Here's a long court document about it: http://ny.findacase.com/research/wfr...028.SNY.htm/qx

Here's a comparison picture of the decorative stitches of the Robot vs. the 401: http://needlebar.org/cm/displayimage..._display_media

I don't have a Robot, but do have a later model Nelco-badged Vigorelli Amica Super Practical. It's a very strong stitcher, makes very nice decorative stitches and is surprisingly fast. It does take odd bobbins which are about the size of Pfaff bobbins but have holes on one side like Elna bobbins. Apparently, they're hard to obtain, but mine came with 18 so that's enough for me.

There is a yahoo group called borlettivigorelli and they do have a manual for the Robot in their files.

I have a special fondness for the German and Italian machines.

Good luck.

Run.

Thanks for the comments and input.

The machine didn't have any accessories with it, but I will go ask if they maybe had them behind the counter or something. I understand from my own researching that it's built in cams are plastic... I will have to try to get a look at them to see if they are intact. I will go check it out better tomorrow.

Interesting to read about the competition between Vigorrelli and Singer 401. I had also found that Vigorrelli worked for the Necchi company.

I would be sure it has all it's parts

That might be hard to know when it's not working. I was looking at that "hole" on the face thinking a knob was missing but a quick search showed that seems normal lol! For 10.00 it would already be in my car! I can't see the table well but what U can see looks in good condition too.

***
*** Go for it.
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*** It look a like the Rolls-Royce of machines. Very classy look.
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*** Love the color.

What in interesting DSM. I have never seen this model before.

Make sure it has a bobbin case and at least one bobbin (for comparison for substitutes). My Vigorelli has a really odd looking bobbin case and you don't find parts much on ebay.

At $10 I wouldn't take the time to ask. I'd just get it. It's a beautiful machine, a great unusual color and isn't beat half to death. My $10 machines never look nearly as nice.
I hope you end up with it.
Rodney

Looks to be a beauty to me and in such great shape. I would grab it and run.

I just picked up a Nelco Amica Maxi 3000. The motor is so quiet. It does need a bobbin case.

I just paid $85 for this one yesterday and I think it's well worth it.
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I LOVE it!

It's the Ferrari of sewing machines!

Nice. That would be a keeper for sure.

Cari

Is it worth 10 dollars? wow

Very similar to Necchi BU. very solid machine. I'd buy it in a minute.

I would have bought that too! Great looking machine.

Just for giggles try ISMACS. They may have something on it. Odd bobbins are a problem. There aren't many Virogellis out there so hunting won't be as easy as Singer.

While the BU is one of my favorite machines, it does vibrate quite a bit at high speeds. When you put the accelerator to the floor, the Vigorelli is as smooth as a... well, you know.

From your comment, I can't tell if you're hunting for bobbins or Vigorellis. Bobbins are not only easy, they're the desirable (especially for quilters) large-capacity class 15 type. Hunting for a Vigorelli? Not as easy as Singer, to say the least.

Those who like the Vigorelli may want to keep an eye out for a Mundlos machine. A quick Google search didn't produce the Vig's twin, but an old forum buddy recently sent me a tin of attachments from a Mundlos, suggesting that they'd fit since the machine he got it from was identical, right down to the unique double spool pin. (I now have two extra double spool pins - better safe than sorry, I guess!) Maybe it's a Vigorelli badged for the Spanish (or Portuguese) market? (Although I think I can almost decipher the word "Malta" on the worn label.) The tin, by the way, is the same olive color as my machine.

Way off - the Mundlos name is German; still can't find one comparable to the Vig.

The BU vibration is why I got rid of mine. My vintage Brother machines don't vibrate like that. But, neither does my Necchi Lelia.
Didn't Vigorelli work for Necchi at one time? It seems to me I read something about that somewhere, but I don't remember where or when. Might be the reason the Vig looks so much like the BU.

Cari

I've heard the same, including that both companies operated out of Pavia (Italy). The Robot (pictured above) was the machine that created a stir in 1953. The first "automatic" sewing machine, it compelled gigantic Singer to enter into an agreement with tiny Vigorelli in order to use internal cams in their machines (319 and 401).

Very interesting. I'm surprised Singer didn't buy him out like they did W&W. I really think Singer dropped the ball after the mid 50s. I have a Brother machine from 1956 that has dual built in cam stacks that allow it to do stitches that Singer machines didn't have built in until around the mid 1960s.

Cari

They were slow to jump on the zigzag bandwagon, that's for sure. They eventually realized, along with the other manufacturers, that quality was no longer important to the consumer. Introducing new gimmicks, along with planned obsolescence, was the way to sell machines - a policy that continues to this day.

Well said.

Vigorell Robot Sewing Machine
 

Ro


I have been using brother bobbins in this machine with success.

Check this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1ijx5K41Lk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-rBeBw2lAU

I bought mine, fixed it up and it is ready to go when I want to play. It doesn't get much thread though. I am always after a broken one.

Vigorelli Fix up Question
 

I know that it has been a long time since you first posted, but I am curious about if you got your machine unstuck? I have recently purchased the same machine for $20 and would love to see it working. The needle bar will not go up and down. It now moves from side to side and the front knobs work too. Any suggestions?

There are a lot of close tolerances in this machine. Have you opened the lid off the top? spend ten minutes on it with a hair dryer on hot and it may melt old oil. then see if it will move. it may take a fw tries. then add oil to everything that moves or should move. The top screws are kind of neat with oil holes and holding down the lid.