I am the new owner of a 99K! $40 from CL - I posted pictures in my other topic I started yesterday. I'm going to need a new cord, but I am tempted to put a crank on it. Not sure how hard it would be or if it makes sense. I guess I'm going to have to start naming machines - I have a FW coming home next week, too.

No, the Japanese clones where made by several companies, but not Singer. Singer never badged a machine - if the machine was made by Singer it always says Singer on the machine. The clones are modeled after Singer's Model 15 and Model 99. Records were not kept on who made most of these machines. All the machines say is "made in Japan," or like one of mine "made in Occupied Japan," or have a "JA" stamped into the bottom of the machines. Large retailers purchased the machines and put their company names on them, i.e., Sears, Wards, Macy's, Gimballs, etc.. The Japanese used American sounding names for the machines to appeal to us, some had automobile names, female names, and patriotic names. They made theses machines in metallic blue, green, pink, yellow, and fire engine red, and of course black. They were advertised as extremely rare Mitsubishi, Ford, Saxon, Stitch Queen, etc., but the same machines could have dozens of different names.

If the machine is a copy of Singer's model 15 or 99, it is a clone. I hope this clarifies this for some of you. Again, Singer did not badge machines, White, Davis, etc., did badge machines along with most of the bigger companies, but not Singer- if Singer made the machine they had the Singer name, emblem on the machine.
Nancy

I think Billy got a 31 for doing FM work. The 31's are industrial machines, larger than a domestic model. Can you post a picture for us to see? I'd love to see the machine.

Nancy

Here is Kathie's newest machine.

A beautiful White!

I got her working just fine. NO LIGHT!!! Changed out the electric cord with new and it seems safer. She purrs - barely makes noise. This machine looks and sews like it came off the delivery truck brand new. I know my neighbor NEVER learned to use it. She had an old treadle and wouldn't touch the electric. I have the manual - it says made in Japan. I've had this machine put away for a good 10 years. (I have a Consew walking foot I use for anything heavy so didn't need this machine so much) I wanted to save it for the GD who says she doesn't want it - but she is only 10 - what does she know - I forgot I had the Commander and gave GD a Singer 404 to learn on. Maybe when she is older...

I can take the face plate off and change it with an old machine I have setting around that is missing the tension.
It needs to be cleaned - it doesn't turn right now - the wheel goes but the machine doesn't turn. Too much to do - the garden needs to get more attention than the sewing machines.

I don't even know how many machines I have - I need to have a yard sale or something...

Yep, lots of companies made the Sears machines.

Suzi, all this talk about clones or not clones is getting to be so funny! You guys have really nice machines, clones or not! Clones are a good thing not a bad thing. I have two clones I love, one is a Morse 15 clone pictured on page 929 here, the other one is an American 99 clone pictured on page 898 - I will post another picture -- the machine is fine now that we fixed it!

I am down to 32 machines -I just counted, that is after giving my DIL one, my SIL one, hospice one, and a DGD one!

Nancy

Thank you, Nancy. I owe you another candy bar. What is your favorite? Kathie

I am down to 32 machines -I just counted, that is after giving my DIL one, my SIL one, hospice one, and a DGD one!

Nancy[/quote]

Keep giving Nancy, so I can catch up with you. :D Kathie

Very nice !!!!

I still can't find a good hand crank. One more.. just one more.