Originally Posted by Rose_P (Post 4957259)

I've been wanting a hand crank for awhile for no good reason, but you all know how that goes. Anyway, this turned up on Craigslist and the price seemed reasonable, so she's joined my menagerie. I have been trying to learn something about the Harris No.9 and about all I have found out is that it was a German-made machine sold by the Harris company in Great Britain (as it was known at the time). I have exactly one needle, one presser foot, one bobbin spool and the shuttle. Everything seems to be intact and in better-than-usual condition. The crank makes things turn with no resistance, and no loud noises. The serial number is 1634982, if that means anything to anyone, and the front slide plate is engraved with the Harris company name, London, and the information that it was made in Stettin. I don't have a manual for it, but the seller gave me a Singer #28 manual, and it appears to be pretty similar.

A little extraneous research turns up the fact that the town that used to be known as Stettin has during various periods of its history been part of Sweden, Prussia and, since WW2, Poland. It is now called Szczecin, so it's quite certain my new baby was born some time before that war.

I have not gotten myself together enough to pull the needle and see if it looks like any commonly available today, so that will be an important hurdle. Even if it does, that wouldn't mean that the needle is one she's happy with just because it's in there now. I'm not sure about threading, and at the moment haven't figured out how to remove the bobbin, but I'll psych myself up for all that eventually. I like to look at her and will probably just park her somewhere as a conversation piece. I may be a little spoiled by having had electricity all my life, but I'm impressed with what people could do without it. We had no power here for 5 days after Hurricane Ike, so it's possible this machine will someday get to strut her stuff for me.

If anyone has information about this machine, or a source for parts and a manual, I'll be eager to know. Thanks for the great community we have here!

Originally Posted by callen (Post 4959101)

This is my first venture into vintage machines & the machine I am looking at purchasing is in need of some TLC.
Can u give me any advice on how I can safely spruce this machine up? I have only seen pics & it looks like the machine is dull and the gold & red design (it is not a red eye but could be a sphinx - I can't tell from the pics).
Any advice would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by J Miller (Post 4960397)

Nancy,

The Alphasew motor will stay there as long as needed. But I shall continue searching for the brush caps until I find one or the hot place freezes over. :D

Joe

Originally Posted by Candace (Post 4960505)

Nancy, it would be very inaccurate and hard to use, IMO. That's why the never made a hit with the machine. But, for a novelty..why not. I suspect he will call you after he tries it and gets sick of fighting the fabric moving everywhere:>

Originally Posted by irishrose (Post 4960422)

Joe, tracking the 15 clones, the HA machines, seems to be a puzzle. Here's the one I'm thinking of buying. It's sewing well but the motor is noisy at lower speeds. I have no idea if that's normal. Mine is a Montgomery Wards, but there are all external labels. [ATTACH=CONFIG]310450[/ATTACH]

Originally Posted by BoJangles (Post 4961006)

I loved this video of your cabinet Charlee! I can see why you wanted that cabinet so bad - it actually has a push button level to raise the machine like a modern cabinet! While in the u-tube's, I also watched a few video's of my 319w in treadle! I so love that 319! What wonderful decorative stitches I am getting now!

Monica, I know why you love the Necchi more than the 15 to FM with! It is just because you are prejudiced! The Necchi was your childhood machine!

Charlee, I love your bright table runner! Geeze, you are fast girl! You just got that 115!

Nancy

Originally Posted by pennijanine (Post 4960213)

I don't know how I got so lucky, but I have two walking feet for my featherweight. Both penguins!!