I recently got a 503A and I love it! I've only played with it so far. As soon as the Christmas stuff is over with, I'll get to using it for real work. The only thing I haven't done yet is to use the cams. I probably won't use them as I am not too fond of the ones that came with it. Not stitches that I'd use. I wish there was a "feather stitch", I like doing that on quilting sections.
Hope you su gets one for you. Mine was an early present to me from my dh.
Jan on 446

I love being able to use the short shank, I can get feet most anywhere. My other machine is almost like this one. It is just not the Red Eye. It is still a beauty though.

Wow, Charlee that would be so nice! My 503a is my main machine for doing the little Patchabilities' wall hangings! I love cam # 8 especially for the machine applique's! I gave my BF a 500, and she uses hers all the time too - for the decorative stitches!

Nancy

I have found a 403A for sale in a cabinet with bench and was wondering what is a good price? She hasn't stated a price yet, so want to be sure I know what I'm doing. Should this model come with cams? Are they interchangeable with the 401A? I know virtually nothing about this model.

I asked if anyone knew what this deadly gadget was used for here and on another board.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]296320[/ATTACH]
Well, Someone on the other board knew and gave me instructions for this gadget.
So, I'm sharing with all of you. :)
This thing is a chain stitch hemmer for a Standard sewing machine.
Here are some pictures from my testing the vague directions out.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]296321[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]296322[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]296323[/ATTACH]
The spider attachment (and shortly this one) can been seen on my blog. I will be posting the instructions to this hemmer on my blog for those that may also need the instructions.
http://color-my-world-with-warmth.blogspot.com/

Jan, you do realize that the 503a does not stitch without cams? You are not suppose to even straight stitch without the number '0' cam in the machine. The 503a has no built in stitches like the 500 does.

Nancy

The 403 is probably my all time favorite sewing machine. I sell them for $135 - $150 depending on the kit. (some are asking a lot more.) This is cleaned and running right. They need a full set of the top hat disks - they are the same as the Singer 400, 500 and 600 series. The 403s usually don't have as much wrong with them as the 401 but there isn't as much to go wrong. Manuals are available on line for free - parts are available - I love it.

Another try!

Ok I just got back from 2 hour road trip to get the cabinet that has been advertized on Craigslist for my Mother's 1952 Pfaff 130. The machine fits perfectly in the cabinet so Candace and a few of you were right - that cabinet was made for the Pfaff! The problem is the cabinet is in great shape, but the hinges/parts that hold the machine in the cabinet are missing. So I can't use the cabinet until I find the parts to hold the machine - so it doesn't fall through! Anyone know where, - besides watching E-bay - I can find parts for the Pfaff cabinet. I need the hinges, screws, anchoring system so the machine can be set into the cabinet and actually closed up when not in use!

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/fuo/2757176692.html

Nancy

DH was fixing the car this afternoon so I dug out my new machines. I have one no count Stylist - it was $1 besides it had a cabinet.... Then I found 2 Singer 15s with potted motors, a Spartan, a pair of 66s and and Alden - I didn't have time to give it a good look there - I just saw that it was a little 3/4 machine. Today I looked it over - it is like a Singer 99 only smaller. It runs sweet. I'm sure it had something wrong with it other than the motor wires are BARE - very Bare - but I didn't spend much time on it. I got the Spartan on a hand crank and had a good time playing with it. The other machine was a Japanese that does zig zag. It has all the big dials and chrome. I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned - this one was pretty bad. It took a lot of work, but I got it to move, then I got it to zig and zag. I haven't got the stitch length or reverse moving. I think there may be more stitches than zig zag - either still frozen or I didn't figure out the combination or hold my mouth right so I need to dig up a manual. I got a few tables for a buck each. Inside one was a Singer Stylist - it is frozen up pretty bad but it does have drop feet appears to be mostly metal. One table came with a bench and the cubby hole on one side was full of magnets and curtain rings and a huge pair of scissors. I picked up some Evap-o-rust - good stuff. I had my camera along and totally forgot to shoot the machines. I guess I like to tackle the worst ones first - or the ones I'll learn the most from.