Snooze2978

The Elna looks like a SU62. Elnas back then were totally made of metal innards so sturdy. Had mine for years and still kicking myself for selling it. Mine never saw the inside of a repair shop. I know Singers are well made too but I'm partial to the Elna because I had one so many years ago. The power foot doesn't look original on it though. The lid can be used as an extension table and it is also made of metal. You can also get cams that you place under that top lid to make more fancy stitches. The older Elnas were green and called grasshoppers. If you can get it for around $5 you got yourself a deal as I haven't been able to find one on Ebay for less than $250 and they don't look in as great a shape as that one does.

Just noticed a brown lid in the background. That's not the lid that goes with it. Should be a metal medium blue lid. Also noticed that one is not a free arm but a sit-in so maybe that is the lid.

sewbizgirl

This is not true. All 301's are portables, even the ones in cabinets. They all have the handle built into the top of the arm, and the ones in cabinets can pop out and become portables with the press of a lever. This was a great selling feature of the machine.

The 301s were the first 'slant o matics', and they are strong, gear driven machines. Can't go wrong with a 301. You'll never want to sew on a Featherweight again!

Bug Lady

I would go for the Singer 301. I have one that my mother bought herself in 1957 from her egg money. It is also the machine I learned to sew on. I use is frequently for my sewing quilts.

They are easy to service and sew like a dream--it sews more quietly than the others around me. Best of luck.
Karen

bkay

The 301 was gone when I got there. They had $125. on the White and $165. on the Elna. Neither had any accessories or manuals. So I bought about 20 pounds of quilting fabric. (Just what I need - more quilting fabric.)

bkay

Mickey2

When accessories are no longer with the machine, and possibly need replacment parts like the pedal, etc., I don't think you should pay much at all. When I pay $165 it's a model I have had my eyes on previously, and it's mostly intact, case, cabinet, accessories included. I easily find my self paying $40 for faulty machines though, as long it's meets my requriements :- )

bkay

That's how I got my 503. It was $35.00 and in a reeealy ugly cabinet. I love it. It's not perfect, but sews really well. It just needs a little paint touch up. There's a $40.00 401 or 403 on Craigslist right now. If I didn't have to drive 30 miles for it, I might bite. I gave away my 328, so I have to have something to work with those cams I bought on shopgoodwill.com . I have a 319 in the storeroom, but I doubt it works. It appears to be too complicated for a clean up and oil 'em person to get going. It's another one of those auction machines.
bkay

Mickey2

You have a lovely collection of machines. I think you are up to looking at the 319. It takes a bit longer to sort out cleaning and oiling, but within what you would expect. I know some have had issues with timing on these and damaged bobbin case, but once sorted out they have stitched reliably. There's the issue with needle type, if 15x1 is used it will damage the bobbin case unless it's adjusted for it (how do you check for that?). Originally they all took 206x13.