Vintage Feather Machine - anyone know anything?

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07-16-2020, 03:58 AM

#11

bkay

Super Member

Join Date: Mar 2016

Posts: 2,819

Congrats!! Be sure to oil it according to the specs in that manual I referenced. There are several tutorials online in how to measure for a new belt and how to adjust it if need be.
I think you'll enjoy the machine. For me, they are so simple that they are a pleasure to use.
bkay

07-16-2020, 06:08 AM

#12

leonf

Super Member

Join Date: May 2016

Location: near Topeka kansas

Posts: 4,524

yep. You will love it. And if you have questions, just fire one back here.

07-16-2020, 08:17 AM

#13

Tish05

Senior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2019

Location: Beiseker, Ab Canada

Posts: 494

Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions.

Here are some pictures of the motor and foot pedal for the machine. My thoughts are that the motor is original, or from another machine that was similar, but that the foot pedal is an addition since it is brown, not black and says Singer on it. The machine has a serial number 103171 embedded in the front of the base and the numbers 514 embeded in the bottom but no other markings of any kind. Someone put a label on it that says "Distributed by the Chilliwack Sewing Machine(?) Supply" with part of an address. There is a Chilliwack in British Columbia in Canada with a Yale Road so looks like it was distributed in Canada.

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07-16-2020, 01:02 PM

#14

cashs_mom

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: Houston, TX

Posts: 9,504

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tish05

Thanks for the information. I'm not sure what you mean by left homing? Do you mean the needle sets to the left when it's running? If so, that's not what I was looking for. I'm looking for a machine that doesn't have all the body parts in the way on the left like the new machines have. I've started sewing bags and I'm having a hard time with the bottom of the bag because my Janome 9400 has so much on the left side of the needle/foot so I can't get close enough to the foot with all the stiff fabric.

My Bernina has a wide foot (I think that's what you mean). I put the zipper foot or one of the other narrower feet on to get into small places.

07-16-2020, 06:21 PM

#15

Tish05

Senior Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Feb 2019

Location: Beiseker, Ab Canada

Posts: 494

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashs_mom

My Bernina has a wide foot (I think that's what you mean). I put the zipper foot or one of the other narrower feet on to get into small places.

That's not the problem that I had. I drew the problem on this picture of my Janome 9400. You can see the path that the fabric has to take to get under the needle. The shape of the left side of the housing makes for a difficult transition with a very stiff bag to get the bottom seam under the needle. I was practically smashing the bag to try to get that bottom seam done. I ended up having to do a fair amount of ripping and restitching to get the corners anywhere close to what was a decent seam. The front of these vintage machines goes almost straight down and to the foot and I didn't have to spend that much. I don't think this is the same with industrial machines but I didn't want to put out that much money. I probably spent more than many of you would have but I wasn't looking for a project, just a machine I could take home and use without much to be done to it. Also I'm in Canada and I don't see the types of prices many of you say you can pick these machines up for.

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07-21-2020, 08:54 AM

#16

craftiladi

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: las vegas nv.

Posts: 2,452

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tish05

The only place a magnet sticks to it are the fly wheel and the silver parts so I guess that means it's aluminum, although it's still pretty heavy. I bought it, so now I just have to play with it. First order is finding a new drive belt as the one that's on the machine is cracked rubber and probably won't last much longer. Other than having to help it start off because the belt is loose, it stitched quite nicely and runs pretty quiet! I've only had electronic machines since the 80's so this is going to be interesting.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

Congratulations I bet with a new belt and a little TLC she will perform like a champ. Love her look,