Vintage Japanese 'Badged' Zig Zag and Straight Sew Sewing Machines
#361
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096

Cari
#362

Follow up and Cari's value comment.
Level of advertising is a huge factor too. Last weekend I went chasing a Rocketeer. CL listing under garage sale. "sewing machine" was the second fuzzy picture. Nothing to even indicate Singer unless you were a fan. It was in a town of 300. 15 miles away from the nearest stoplight. And the actual sale was a "make an offer" sale at a motorcycle shop. Seller didn't know what he had. All factors in my favor. I made an offer for the 500 in a cabinet with manuals and two sets of cams. He upped my offer by $5.00. Bingo.. oh wait. my GF was faster with her money. Giggle. I won't tell you the purchase price, but it would make many of you groan. Someday I'll have to get a pic of her 500 by my 503.
Leon
Level of advertising is a huge factor too. Last weekend I went chasing a Rocketeer. CL listing under garage sale. "sewing machine" was the second fuzzy picture. Nothing to even indicate Singer unless you were a fan. It was in a town of 300. 15 miles away from the nearest stoplight. And the actual sale was a "make an offer" sale at a motorcycle shop. Seller didn't know what he had. All factors in my favor. I made an offer for the 500 in a cabinet with manuals and two sets of cams. He upped my offer by $5.00. Bingo.. oh wait. my GF was faster with her money. Giggle. I won't tell you the purchase price, but it would make many of you groan. Someday I'll have to get a pic of her 500 by my 503.
Leon
#363
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1

I have this machine but it is called Edison. Mine doesn't have the crown on the bed but the rest looks the same! I am trying to find out info on it, don't have the book. I think my mom bought it in 1959 but not sure. Would love to have more info. Any help appreciated.[ATTACH=CONFIG]573991[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]573992[/ATTACH]
#364
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507

Somewhere on this thread is a generic manual.
I made screen shots of your machine controls. So I'll explain them the rest will be generic and you can find that information by reading the thread.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]574002[/ATTACH]
This is your zig zag control. You turn the big knob to zig zag what ever you want and can change it as you sew by turning the knob to larger or smaller stitches as you sew to get different designs or appliqué or fancy calligraphy lettering. If you want to lock it in place slide one of the two little lever knobs where ever you want the stitches set and tighten the knob. You have to release them in order to go back to straight sewing or to change the width of the zig zag stitches. Right now it looks like it might be set so turn the nut on the ends of the two lever knobs and release the zig zag so it will sew straight again. Pretty simple once you play with it a minute. If you want to reset it, turn the knob how ever wide you want, set the levers, tighten and you are back to zig zag. Release them etc. pretty simple and straight forward.
I made screen shots of your machine controls. So I'll explain them the rest will be generic and you can find that information by reading the thread.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]574002[/ATTACH]
This is your zig zag control. You turn the big knob to zig zag what ever you want and can change it as you sew by turning the knob to larger or smaller stitches as you sew to get different designs or appliqué or fancy calligraphy lettering. If you want to lock it in place slide one of the two little lever knobs where ever you want the stitches set and tighten the knob. You have to release them in order to go back to straight sewing or to change the width of the zig zag stitches. Right now it looks like it might be set so turn the nut on the ends of the two lever knobs and release the zig zag so it will sew straight again. Pretty simple once you play with it a minute. If you want to reset it, turn the knob how ever wide you want, set the levers, tighten and you are back to zig zag. Release them etc. pretty simple and straight forward.
Last edited by miriam; 06-02-2017 at 02:17 AM.
#365
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,507

[ATTACH=CONFIG]574003[/ATTACH]
Stitch length. Turn knob to change the stitch length. R is reverse. Pretty straight forward.
Below is two buttons. Push the one that says up to sew anything. The down button is for free motion sewing or darning and the feed dogs will not be activated.
Your generic manual will show you how to thread it and how to use the bobbin.
Stitch length. Turn knob to change the stitch length. R is reverse. Pretty straight forward.
Below is two buttons. Push the one that says up to sew anything. The down button is for free motion sewing or darning and the feed dogs will not be activated.
Your generic manual will show you how to thread it and how to use the bobbin.
#368
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2

I got a machine yesterday just like this one but it is badged Sew Vac. It is also a JA-33, J-C5, UE81, KK, model 750 with serial number 09813. Same pretty blue color. I am trying to identify what japanese factory made it and what company badges sew vac. I think our machines are cousins!
#369
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1

Caroline, Thank you. It is a fantastic machine that was very well maintained but stored for some time in a cabinet. That is why the back is so dirty. To answer you question, No there is not. I also cannot find any info on this machine, or one like it on line. It is a model 98. I even have the original manual for this machine and will scan it before finding it a new home if anyone would be interested in a copy.
~Grant~
~Grant~
Esmeralda
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 02-17-2019 at 11:10 AM. Reason: asking to share copyright info
#370
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 3

Can anyone please offer any information on this incredible machine? It's my Mom's and she's had it since the early 1970s. The tag says Kingston by Brother. I can't find a model number on it anywhere. Any help is appreciated, thanks![ATTACH=CONFIG]582378[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]582379[/ATTACH]
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