Are These Featherweights?
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Ontario
Posts: 299

lol none of these are Featherweights....feels like a test now
lol
Good machines for the price indeed but are not the Featherweights
First one - model 15
Second - model 99

Good machines for the price indeed but are not the Featherweights

First one - model 15
Second - model 99
Last edited by Hooligan; 03-28-2021 at 01:58 PM.
#4

The one in the light colored base appears to be a 15-90 (external motor) and the one in a bentwood case is a 99. Both appear to have Centennial badges, which means that they were built in 1951. From my understanding there were some machines that had Centennial badges that the serial number actually was for a 1949 machine. I think I remember that there may have been one that had a 1952 serial number.
They say that the 15s are good for FMQ and is a full size machine. The 99 is what is considered a 3/4 machine, meaning that the distance between the needle and the pillar would be shorter than a full size machine.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
They say that the 15s are good for FMQ and is a full size machine. The 99 is what is considered a 3/4 machine, meaning that the distance between the needle and the pillar would be shorter than a full size machine.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Last edited by OurWorkbench; 03-28-2021 at 02:10 PM.
#5

The tell on a Featherweight is the tip up bed and the tiny size. Here is a good pic with the bed tipped up: https://class221.com/index.php/221-2...21-centennial/
Most pics you find will have the bed down and ready to sew.
BTW, all the machines you have shown so far look to be nice machines in decent condition. If you want a “placeholder” machine I think any of them would be a good one and the prices are good.
Most pics you find will have the bed down and ready to sew.
BTW, all the machines you have shown so far look to be nice machines in decent condition. If you want a “placeholder” machine I think any of them would be a good one and the prices are good.
#8

The 99 would be controlled by a knee bar tat slips into the round hole in the base. odd shaped strapped of metal. If it isn't with the machine (often gets lost) they are pricey to get. Such machines often get rewired for more modern foot controller.s
#9

Watson, take a good look at some of the FW's featured on the many post here. That is what I did before purchasing the two I have. The first one I only paid $125 and the second one I paid $200 for Both are 221's and the just sing when I sew with them. I am always looking for another if the price is right. Now Of course I don't need one but they are fun to sew with.