Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
05-22-2010, 05:01 PM
#1241
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 527
Originally Posted by kapatt
This is a great subject and I love the answers and the help you are giving everyone. I have several old Singers. (Handcrank 127; (2) 301s; a treadle 15-; electric 66; (2) featherweights; 401; 403; 404 plus I'm looking for a 99 (or Spartan) to make into a handcrank. I'm sure I will learn a lot from reading your Vintage Sewing Machine Shop thread.
You wrote: "Personally I never give over $50 for a machine (with the exception of my Singer 12 MOP) but thats just me."
..thank you for saying that. I think that Singer sewing machines are beautiful and sturdy but it seems that uninformed people have inflated the prices to unreal prices. I can understand paying more when you have a machine that is in outstanding cosmetic shape and is in great mechanical shape, but I see people trying to sell machines that are all scratched up and in so-so mechanical condition for over $200. Unfortunately some people are being taken because they think since this is an antique, it must be worth the price. One person claimed on craigslist that "all" singer sewing machines are going for high prices so they expected to get high prices.
A high price depends on many variable including what machine it is and the condition it is in.
I have to admit that I have paid more than $50 for some of my machines, but I always had a good reason for it and I knew what it was worth. I believe I paid $120 for my 401. Everything else was under $100 and several of them under $50. I got one 301 at a garage sale for $5.
It is important for buyers to realize that not all of the Singer sewing machines are worth the same price of a featherweight in great condition or a treadle that looks brand new.
You wrote: "Personally I never give over $50 for a machine (with the exception of my Singer 12 MOP) but thats just me."
..thank you for saying that. I think that Singer sewing machines are beautiful and sturdy but it seems that uninformed people have inflated the prices to unreal prices. I can understand paying more when you have a machine that is in outstanding cosmetic shape and is in great mechanical shape, but I see people trying to sell machines that are all scratched up and in so-so mechanical condition for over $200. Unfortunately some people are being taken because they think since this is an antique, it must be worth the price. One person claimed on craigslist that "all" singer sewing machines are going for high prices so they expected to get high prices.
A high price depends on many variable including what machine it is and the condition it is in.
I have to admit that I have paid more than $50 for some of my machines, but I always had a good reason for it and I knew what it was worth. I believe I paid $120 for my 401. Everything else was under $100 and several of them under $50. I got one 301 at a garage sale for $5.
It is important for buyers to realize that not all of the Singer sewing machines are worth the same price of a featherweight in great condition or a treadle that looks brand new.
05-22-2010, 05:09 PM
#1242
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Washington state
Posts: 820
Hi Charlee.
You wrote: "I opened it, and there was a Singer 201, Centenial! No power cord. Hmmmmm....marked at $35....bigger hmmmmmm.... Asked if they would take $15, because of no cord (thinking that if I can get parts for a FW, I'm betting I can get a power cord for this one!)"
That is a fantastic deal. Congratulations! I've read that the 201 is one of the best sewing machines that Singer made. I have never had one (or seen one) but I would love to find one.
You wrote: "I opened it, and there was a Singer 201, Centenial! No power cord. Hmmmmm....marked at $35....bigger hmmmmmm.... Asked if they would take $15, because of no cord (thinking that if I can get parts for a FW, I'm betting I can get a power cord for this one!)"
That is a fantastic deal. Congratulations! I've read that the 201 is one of the best sewing machines that Singer made. I have never had one (or seen one) but I would love to find one.
05-22-2010, 05:10 PM
#1243
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 527
Originally Posted by kapatt
Hi Charlee.
You wrote: "I opened it, and there was a Singer 201, Centenial! No power cord. Hmmmmm....marked at $35....bigger hmmmmmm.... Asked if they would take $15, because of no cord (thinking that if I can get parts for a FW, I'm betting I can get a power cord for this one!)"
That is a fantastic deal. Congratulations! I've read that the 201 is one of the best sewing machines that Singer made. I have never had one (or seen one) but I would love to find one.
You wrote: "I opened it, and there was a Singer 201, Centenial! No power cord. Hmmmmm....marked at $35....bigger hmmmmmm.... Asked if they would take $15, because of no cord (thinking that if I can get parts for a FW, I'm betting I can get a power cord for this one!)"
That is a fantastic deal. Congratulations! I've read that the 201 is one of the best sewing machines that Singer made. I have never had one (or seen one) but I would love to find one.
05-22-2010, 05:17 PM
#1244
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bikini Bottom
Posts: 5,652
Originally Posted by JCquilts
OK as promised here is the first of my oddball machines.
It is called Arlington. Arlington is also in the metal Treadle sides.
It has decals on the top and sides of the cabinet and drawers with Eagles. The decal says "Cash Builders Union, Chicago, Ill" That is also stamped on the metal drawer pulls. Im not sure who made the machine or the date. No manual.
It is called Arlington. Arlington is also in the metal Treadle sides.
It has decals on the top and sides of the cabinet and drawers with Eagles. The decal says "Cash Builders Union, Chicago, Ill" That is also stamped on the metal drawer pulls. Im not sure who made the machine or the date. No manual.
I believe it is a badged machine by the Standard Sewing Machine Company. "Cash Buyers Union" Arlington machines were badged by three companies, Standard, Free, and National. This one has the National type of tension, Standards type of Stitch length regulator. I can not figure anything out about this ones manufacturer for certain but I will say Standard until I am proved wrong.
Also the Standard that is on the NB has the exact decals on the woodwork as yours does.
Billy
05-22-2010, 05:24 PM
#1245
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 527
Originally Posted by Lostn51
Originally Posted by JCquilts
OK as promised here is the first of my oddball machines.
It is called Arlington. Arlington is also in the metal Treadle sides.
It has decals on the top and sides of the cabinet and drawers with Eagles. The decal says "Cash Builders Union, Chicago, Ill" That is also stamped on the metal drawer pulls. Im not sure who made the machine or the date. No manual.
It is called Arlington. Arlington is also in the metal Treadle sides.
It has decals on the top and sides of the cabinet and drawers with Eagles. The decal says "Cash Builders Union, Chicago, Ill" That is also stamped on the metal drawer pulls. Im not sure who made the machine or the date. No manual.
I believe it is a badged machine by the Standard Sewing Machine Company. "Cash Buyers Union" Arlington machines were badged by three companies, Standard, Free, and National. This one has the National type of tension, Standards type of Stitch length regulator. I can not figure anything out about this ones manufacturer for certain but I will say Standard until I am proved wrong.
Also the Standard that is on the NB has the exact decals on the woodwork as yours does.
Billy
05-22-2010, 05:29 PM
#1246
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Washington state
Posts: 820
Hi Quilterguy,
You wrote:"I've been scouring CL for a good deal on a Singer 221 FW. If I can't find this one as my top choice, what would you reccommend as #2, #3, etc. on the list. I kinda have my heart set on the 221 FW tho, but I don't want to spend 3 or 4 hundred dollars on one either."
I'm about a month behind on reading the posts (it's been a busy month) but I would like to put in my 2cents. If you want the featherweight to take with you places, the 301 might work just as well. It is a little bit bigger and weighs just a few pounds more. If you are looking for something small and compact that stores well, my son said that the 99 works well for him. The 99 comes in two different types of cases. One is the wooden Bentwood case and the other one is more of a suitcase case. I gave my 99 to him a few years ago (one in the suitcase type case) and he likes it because it is compact. I'm now looking for a 99 to make into a handcrank and asked him to trade for one of my other machines. He said he would only trade for one of my featherweights because they are small and compact.
You wrote:"I've been scouring CL for a good deal on a Singer 221 FW. If I can't find this one as my top choice, what would you reccommend as #2, #3, etc. on the list. I kinda have my heart set on the 221 FW tho, but I don't want to spend 3 or 4 hundred dollars on one either."
I'm about a month behind on reading the posts (it's been a busy month) but I would like to put in my 2cents. If you want the featherweight to take with you places, the 301 might work just as well. It is a little bit bigger and weighs just a few pounds more. If you are looking for something small and compact that stores well, my son said that the 99 works well for him. The 99 comes in two different types of cases. One is the wooden Bentwood case and the other one is more of a suitcase case. I gave my 99 to him a few years ago (one in the suitcase type case) and he likes it because it is compact. I'm now looking for a 99 to make into a handcrank and asked him to trade for one of my other machines. He said he would only trade for one of my featherweights because they are small and compact.
05-22-2010, 05:43 PM
#1247
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Western PA - N of PGH
Posts: 241
Originally Posted by kapatt
.
You had asked about identifying your singer model on your new (to you) machine. I don't know if anyone has posted this page yet, but in case they haven't, this web page helps a person to figure out what model they have.
http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/...r-machines.htm
You had asked about identifying your singer model on your new (to you) machine. I don't know if anyone has posted this page yet, but in case they haven't, this web page helps a person to figure out what model they have.
http://www.sandman-collectibles.com/...r-machines.htm
Ruth
05-22-2010, 05:54 PM
#1248
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Washington state
Posts: 820
Hi Summerstorm. You asked, "Can anyone tell me the advantages and difference in the following models?
The singer 301 and the singer 404?
Is the 404 aluminum?"
I have both the 301 and the 404. The 404 is heavier than the 301. I read today on the web that the 404 is more sturdy and durable than the 301. This is the website where I read the information on the 404.
http://www.free-guitar-tablature.com/404.html
Both machines have slant foots which make it easier to see where you are sewing. The 301 uses the same bobbin case and bobbins that the featherweight uses. The 301 is a vertical bobbin.
The 404 uses the class 66 bobbins and has a drop in bobbin case.
The website that I just posted talks about the 404 being heavy, but it isn't too heavy for me to carry. (I'm not that strong.) If I had to carry it a long distance (like to a quilting class) I would put it on a luggage carrier. It isn't that difficult for me to carry from one room to another room.
I like both the 301 and the 404. I essentially got the 404 because it was in a cabinet that I wanted. I planned on donating the machine to someone after I took it out of the cabinet but I thought of a use that I could use it for, so I decided to keep it.
The singer 301 and the singer 404?
Is the 404 aluminum?"
I have both the 301 and the 404. The 404 is heavier than the 301. I read today on the web that the 404 is more sturdy and durable than the 301. This is the website where I read the information on the 404.
http://www.free-guitar-tablature.com/404.html
Both machines have slant foots which make it easier to see where you are sewing. The 301 uses the same bobbin case and bobbins that the featherweight uses. The 301 is a vertical bobbin.
The 404 uses the class 66 bobbins and has a drop in bobbin case.
The website that I just posted talks about the 404 being heavy, but it isn't too heavy for me to carry. (I'm not that strong.) If I had to carry it a long distance (like to a quilting class) I would put it on a luggage carrier. It isn't that difficult for me to carry from one room to another room.
I like both the 301 and the 404. I essentially got the 404 because it was in a cabinet that I wanted. I planned on donating the machine to someone after I took it out of the cabinet but I thought of a use that I could use it for, so I decided to keep it.
05-22-2010, 06:23 PM
#1249
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bikini Bottom
Posts: 5,652
Originally Posted by JCquilts
Would it help to look closer at the underside of back of the machine? How about the book that says Model C Blank? I
Billy
05-22-2010, 09:06 PM
#1250
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Washington state
Posts: 820
JC wrote: "I have two of the 201 machines and I LOVE them to sew on."
That sounds great. If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions to ask you.
Does the 201 take a regular needle that you can buy at the store, or do you have to special order them?
What class of bobbins do they use?
I would like to have a small machine to turn into a handcrank and I have been trying to decide between a 99 and a 201. With the 99, I can use the class 66 bobbins and a regular needle. Since I already have other machines that use the 66, I can see how that would be a plus for me but I've heard great things about the 201 and it would be nice to have it.
That sounds great. If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions to ask you.
Does the 201 take a regular needle that you can buy at the store, or do you have to special order them?
What class of bobbins do they use?
I would like to have a small machine to turn into a handcrank and I have been trying to decide between a 99 and a 201. With the 99, I can use the class 66 bobbins and a regular needle. Since I already have other machines that use the 66, I can see how that would be a plus for me but I've heard great things about the 201 and it would be nice to have it.
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