Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
Candace, jljack, and melinda1962 thank you for your suggestions. No I found that table at an antique mall along with a Singer 319W and a White, both in nice cabinets, for $20 a piece. I rarely, ok never, find bargains but felt like I did that time.
Candace, I love your Elna! Congratulations on such a great find.
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now I'm curious - I'll have to drag out the Necchi and see what mine is - might as well shoot some oil on it anyway
So...I had said I was getting another 2 Elna Supermatics. I'm flying high right now. I got them yesterday. I worked on the first one for 4 hours. It was completely jammed and dirty. Cleaned it and cleaned it some more. I got the jammed fixed and then found out upon starting it up that the friction pulley has been resurfaced so many times it's not even making contact with the handwheel anymore:< It needs a complete new pulley. Because this machine has had a semi rough life and the paint is worn with a broken button, it's going to be a parts machine. Or a "donor" as a nicer term.
The next machine is the same model I already own, but I opened the case and was suprised. What the heck? It was bolted down to the case in the same manner they were shipped to customers in th 50's and 60's. I thought that's strange....why would it be bolted in the box. And then I saw it still had it's original factory stickers on it. I thought, no way this could be a "new" machine as it's filthy. But, I have a brand new 50 year old machine. I am amazed at how it sews and how the motor runs. It's barely been used. I cleaned it up and although it's not pristine, it's probably as close as one can get. I'm thrilled with it.
The next machine is the same model I already own, but I opened the case and was suprised. What the heck? It was bolted down to the case in the same manner they were shipped to customers in th 50's and 60's. I thought that's strange....why would it be bolted in the box. And then I saw it still had it's original factory stickers on it. I thought, no way this could be a "new" machine as it's filthy. But, I have a brand new 50 year old machine. I am amazed at how it sews and how the motor runs. It's barely been used. I cleaned it up and although it's not pristine, it's probably as close as one can get. I'm thrilled with it.
As far as the first Elna, those friction pulley's are not that expensive. I bought one for a White off of E-bay. It wasn't a big deal. As you know you can't just buy the 'tire' you have to buy the whole friction pulley - but, I'd do that for the first machine. I am a problem, I know. I always fix what I can - I don't like making any machine a donor machine! That is my biggest downfall when getting the old machines! I want them up and running with all their parts!
Nancy
Nancy
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Candace, wow what luck to find a "brand new 50 year old machine!" That is awesome. Did you purchase those two Elna's off of E-Bay? If so you really got a nice find.
As far as the first Elna, those friction pulley's are not that expensive. I bought one for a White off of E-bay. It wasn't a big deal. As you know you can't just buy the 'tire' you have to buy the whole friction pulley - but, I'd do that for the first machine. I am a problem, I know. I always fix what I can - I don't like making any machine a donor machine! That is my biggest downfall when getting the old machines! I want them up and running with all their parts!
Nancy
As far as the first Elna, those friction pulley's are not that expensive. I bought one for a White off of E-bay. It wasn't a big deal. As you know you can't just buy the 'tire' you have to buy the whole friction pulley - but, I'd do that for the first machine. I am a problem, I know. I always fix what I can - I don't like making any machine a donor machine! That is my biggest downfall when getting the old machines! I want them up and running with all their parts!
Nancy
There are special machines that are worth the money fixing. Especially if you want to keep it and use it. I will keep this "brand new Elna" for sure, but I can't pour money into machines that I don't plan on keeping.
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Speaking of Elnas have you seen this one, Nancy? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/hsh/3003633736.html I'm betting it will need the inner pulley resurfaced, but it looks to be in nice shape with lots of discs:>
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Speaking of Elnas have you seen this one, Nancy? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/hsh/3003633736.html I'm betting it will need the inner pulley resurfaced, but it looks to be in nice shape with lots of discs:>
Those pulleys aren't that time consuming to fix. You do need the tool. Ray White has the pulley in stock. He has to do something to them to get them centered right and he rents the tool for $5.
My DD just called and told me she picked up a Singer 306 for me at a garage sale. Can someone plese tell me what size needle and bobbin the 306 takes. Thanks in advance.
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