Thanks Cari. I hope to get a stronger machine for sail work. The covers I'm making now aren't too heavy, the cloth is lighter than my denim jeans. Ideally I'll find a used industrial walking foot that won't break the bank.

There are a rare few domestic machines that can take to sail sewing and keep going. If you're just going straight ahead and back, then The Pfaff 30, or the 130 for ZZ. The Necchi BU, Nova or Mira models from '48 to 52 are also 'said to be' favorites of sail makers. Before you go for the bank-breaker industrial there's always the 'domestic on steroids' Thompson Mini. Even then though the Mini seems to be holding more resale value than many older industrial machines. Industrials have been coming down in price. I've seen more of them for sale this summer than ever before. The Stradivaro was a very well built and robust machine for it's day. It doesn't surprise me at all that it's refusing to quit. =)

I agree that those machines will do the job, but then again, for how long til they're worn out? I live up on Puget Sound and have had a BU come through my hands that was worn out from sail making. Though to be fair, who knows how many years it was fed this diet? It could've been many years.
I also agree that low cost industrials can be found if you're patient and know what you're looking for. My Consew mini walker was brand new and cost me less than 2 fast food meals. I dropped it on its back before I got to use it.:(

Cari

Thanks Steel.
I'm in a position where I can pay big bucks for someone else to do the work, or do it myself with what I have. I was quoted $1900 for the three covers I needed for the boat. I'm doing it myself for about $250. Even if I threw out all of my machines when I was finished, I'd still be way ahead.
I downloaded a maintenance manual for the Pfaffs (230&332) and I'm talking to a repairman who urges me not to use them for heavy work. I admire the Stradivaro and don't want to wear it out, but if I do it owes me nothing. I'll buy another mid century machine for <$50 and carry on. Meanwhile I am searching for a good used walking foot commercial machine that will do all my canvas work. I'll keep my eyes open for a Thompson, or a Singer 111.
I looked at "Rex" Chinese machines on Amazon, reviews are all over.
I do love the intricate precision of these old machines, stuff like that fascinates me.

Don't bother with the Rex. It's junk.

Cari

Thank you, I suspected as much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMpzMv3jK40

The Rex like my Chandler is not junk. Made by Nakajima. Assume you are speaking of the new one.
Please don't intentionally wear out a good machine just because it is inexpensive. Many used industrial machines are out there.

I have a portable Midwest sewing machine that was handed down to me. She had it since I can remember. I have to dig it out from a storage area we have, but wanted to get an idea of its value. It has two boxes of attachments under the machine, which tips back for storage of sewing threads, needles, spools, etc. it is in absolutely pristine condition, as it wasn’t used by my mother very much, and I haven’t used it since the 70s. Here’s the cool part: the plate on this black machine says ‘Made in Occupied Japan’ on the arm of the machine. I will get pictures of everything as soon as I can, but I’m having a defibrillator/pacemaker ‘installed’ Thursday, Aug.9. I sure would appreciate a ballpark idea on this, should anybody have one! My name is Greg. Reply here, or send me a text to 720.363.2566, or even call! We’re all friends here, right? 😁

A picture of the machine would really help, but I'm going to assume since it's an Occupied Japan machine that it's a common 15 class clone.
Here's the good news - Most of the Japanese clones are good strong machines that will sew a bumper on a Buick with the sweetest straight stitch you'll ever see.

Here's the bad news - They're usually not worth much. Millions of them were imported to the US and most are still sewing away. Supply and demand, there's lots of them so..................
Machines from Occupied Japan were some of the first things imported after WWII, so that means roughly '47 to '51 or '52. I have one, badged 'Elite', that came with lots of fiddly bits like yours. I can't remember what I paid for it but it wasn't much as it was about 10 years ago and I was buying anything that was cheap back then.
If you manage to find the right buyer, someone who loves Occupied Japan stuff, you may get more for it but clones in my area tend to just sit if they're priced over $50, and that's even the colored ones(which will always bring more than a black one).

Cari

If it wasn't for the "occupied" part I would have suggested National since they produced machines with over a hundred different labels. I'm going to have to agree with Cari here, and a pic would be very helpful.

I knew there was a reason we got along... (my most recent machine cost 10 bucks)

Wait til you see what I just got for $5.

Cari

Does it have something to do with sewing?

It's the machine and treadle base I posted about needing a pony express over on VSS. I've been looking for the convertible Brother cabinet for years but this will do. I have a set of Brother irons but they're broken and don't know if they can be fixed. This one is pressed steel I think.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]599185[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]599186[/ATTACH]

Cari

That looks very cool.

I love my Brother. I found her at an estate sale for 25.00. Runs great and looks even better. I've heard louder zippers then this little beauty. Somehow I have lost my bobbin case ...does anyone know if it takes a regular class 15 case or do I have to order a special one for this machine? I used one from my Singer and for some reason,[ATTACH=CONFIG]599292[/ATTACH] the upper thread would not pick up the bobbin thread. I tried changing needles, re-threading and using a different bobbin...nothing works! Any help will be greatly appreciated!

It should work fine with any 15 class 1o'clock bobbin case. Are you sure you have the needle in correctly and threaded the right way?

Cari

I did change the needle and the thread...I will check on the upper tension. Don't think I did that. Thnks

The upper tension shouldn't have anything to do with whether the needle picks up the bobbin thread. I meant are you sure you threaded the needle the right direction? Also, did you put the bobbin in the case with the thread coming off of it in a clockwise direction? I did that wrong on my moms Brother for years without knowing it and it didn't make a difference but usually it does.

Cari

I love the color of that blue brother. This forum is a bad place to hang out. Every time I come in here I see another machine to look for.
Jim

You shouldn't have to look too hard. Brother made many models in that blue/white color combo. I have around 40 Brother machines and several of them are this color. Here's a few -
[ATTACH=CONFIG]599321[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]599322[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]599323[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]599320[/ATTACH]

Cari

Thanks Cari...I think the thread was going in the needle the wrong way! I'm going to check it as soon as I get home!

Cari, where DID you find that blue free arm Pacesetter!? And with a table that appears to match the arm cut-out? I've never seen one, and I bet it would send the ShopGoodwill bidders all a-twitter!

My son bought it for me years ago as birthday present. I bought myself the white one a few years ago. Both are from Ebay. The table is from a thrift store, I think it has a Pfaff label but yes, the Brother almost fits like it was made for it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]599727[/ATTACH]

Cari

Beautiful! Like reverse twins! Now I have another one to hunt down;-)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]599767[/ATTACH] close to blue.

I love that pic Leon.

Cari

I have this exact machine but mine says arrow where your model badge is and where yours says coronado mine has the model badge do you know where i can find a manual please help

You need to post a pic of your machine. With 18 pages in this thread, it's hard to know what machine you're talking about.

Cari

No longer available. What a pity.

A lot of it wasn't any more accurate than any other opinions anyway.

Cari

Thanks for letting me know, Cari.

I have an Australian-branded Lemair-Helvetia Super ZigZag (J-A5 SZ00168810) and I was wondering if it was made by Brother.

With a JA5 on it, it's doubtful that it's a Brother built machine. So far, JA5 is an unknown manufacturer known to have built the JCPenney Swing N Sews. Over on the Victorian Sweatshop forum the JA/JC list is being updated with more information by documentation. In other words, with pics and/or paperwork to back up what we now know, we are adding to the list. Pics of your machine and the JA# would be welcomed.

Cari

Dressmaker model W-60 DE Luxe Zig Zag
 

Serial numbers are useless for Japanese machines as there are no records that we know of to search. Without dated paperwork most of the time best we can do is guess. I'd say based on features early to mid 1960s.

Cari

Here's an unusual one for you. A Wards Signature URR285e. Paid too much for it but I couldn"t help myself. Picking up a Remington today and paying too little for it so I guess it works out.

Looks brand new.. Lucky you. Welcome aboard. Oil everything that moves..or should.

Wards sold some nice machines.

I would pay too much also for that.... I am in love...

Welcome, mechanic80. Looks like nice machines. Do they both have the same JA and JC numbers (probably on the base)?


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

I have a Dressmaker 960 that i picked up from a thrift store. It looks like a Bell Aire 960.
I am looking gor a little more info on it. Is it suposes to use cams? It has an emb/darn feature. Zig zgag and striaght stich sews like a dream and its very quiet. Also looking for a manual. Thanks for your help.