What constitutes a vintage sewing machine?
 

My DH went through a stage last year where he thought every old sewing machine at a thrift store was worth money. I have two treadles and about eight older machines now. I am going to do more research on all of them. The treadles will work if I can figure out how to put the belts on. One treadle is over 100 years old (I was told) and I cannot get the belt to meet and stay connected. Anyway.... my main question is; I read somewhere on the QB that you can remove the feed dogs and do FMQ on an older machine. Is that true?

It's a myth that you have to lower the feed dogs to do FMQing. You can do it just fine with the feed dogs up. I do prefer to lower them, but some people will keep them up on purpose. It' s just a slightly different "feel". Give it a try.

As I understand it, a vintage machine is less than 100 years old whereas an antique machine is more than 100 years old. I'm not sure of the number at the other end - does anyone know if it is 40 years old that the vintage machine needs to be, or maybe 60?

You don't need to lower feed dogs to fmq. If yours won't lower, you might try a Stoppax darning attachment, often available on ebay. That will make any machine fmq. I suggest you do not attempt to remove any feed dogs to fmq. Those old screws are likely to break off. Ask me how I know.

There is a pair of pliers made specifically for putting a leather belt on a treadle machine. Anyone know where to get one? I see them on ebay from time to time.

Cricket

All old sewing machines are worth money-just not a lot of it. :)
There are plenty of old sewing machines who's feed dogs will lower easily. Another solution is to set the stitch length to zero or use some blue painters tape and tape a piece of card stock over them if they don't. Far simpler than taking the feed dogs out.
Rodney

the pliers are just an easier way to cut and punch a hole in the leather belt. If your belt is too short, then buy a new belt and start over. They come long so you cut them to the length you need. They also come in a few diameters - but most of the differences are for what you prefer, your treadle won't care. They sell for $5 - $10 and are readily available.

I consider "vintage" to be non - electronic, which is about pre 1980 machines. My significant interest is in machined from around 1900-1930.

I figure if it doesn't have an electronic part on/in it then it could be considered vintage. I have a mid 90's Bernette that would be considered old by today's standards but it is purely a mechanical machine. Compared to that a thats a late 90's plastic Husqvarna i recently acquired. They seem to be from two different era only because of the components So I guess all mechanical machines up until the mid eighties. The only reason why i bought these 90's era machines is because I will never be able to afford a brand new Bernina. LOL and I needed a lighter easy to transport machine like the the Husqvarna for classes and such. Of course both were under my $30 price point. The Husqvarna was $10. *wink*

My main interest in machines seems to be from the 1940's to 1960's and some 1970 Kenmores.

50 years is vintage and 100 years is antique.

The treasure is the history of the machines that your DH brought home. Doing the research and such takes you into another world which can be quite addictive and thrilling. I just brought home a 1889 Wilcox & Gibbs treadle. The inventor of it is a genius, in my book. Katie joined my other vintage/antique/treasure machines. Enjoy doing your homework. There is so much help here on the board.

Darn it, I put my two cents in but I didn't hit reply.

I consider antique to be 100+ years old and vintage to be 40+. I don't usually touch the machines from the 70's though.

Foufy shops like me, $30 is usually my limit. I'm looking for fixer uppers though, not ready to go machines.

Anastasia, antiques are 100+ years, because it's a fact. Well, it was a fact: I was taught it and so were some older people I asked but now Wikipedia has a weaker version "It is common practice to define "antique" as applying to objects at least 100 years old.". This doesn't stop eBayers listing anything from the '40s or '50s (even '60s) as antique (grr!).
Vintage is a different story, and there are a lot of people who consider 30 or even 20 years to be vintage! If you list something on Etsy, they list anything more than 20 years old as vintage :rolleyes:
Only machine I touched from the 1970s was a Bernina 830 record. Fantastic machine, but not really any better than my 1950s 530-2 record. The older one has no plastic at all so it was much easier to fall for, not to mention that it was free.