Bicyclz

Proper, reliable machines the 99ks are, when they are 'right'.
Much better with the hand crank if you ask me.
I have one with a motor, but I know which will last the longest, & which is the sweetest: )

Bicyclz

That's the original base I presume?
One of my 99s needs the wood refinishing, but mine look to be oak, without the comb joints that yours has.
Yours looks to be a different wood.
Just one of the regional differences I guess. I'm thinking of removing the original 'Shellac' varnish, which is peeling, & simply using a wax polish.
What's your method?

Meanwhile here's a pair of Frister & Rossmanns that recently found their way here: )
(Via ebay for a total of £16.04. What's that in dollars? $20?; )
1895 at rear, 1907 front.

Both fully working, with sweet mechanisms.
The bobbin winder on the oldest (1895) is just an amazing piece of (over?) engineering.


I'm still amazed at the capabilities of these ancient machines.

Bicyclz

I think this thread needs a KUTA; )
Herewith is a 'new' 1898 Pfaff model B. Much rarer than period Singers. Highly regarded & rightly so

Transverse shuttle, but 'easy out' Bobbin case defies criticism for 1898: ) It's just amazing for the year: )
Underside? Check the next post; )

Bicyclz

Bumping this thread here.... With good reason: )
Latest acquisition is this Alfa:
A simple straight stitch, but very cool IMHO: )

autoteacher

My Elna Grasshopper:

autoteacher

Next up will be a Bell briefcase SM

Bicyclz

The Elna Grasshopper is very cool!
Unusual & little quirky to my eye, but I like them like that. (Bikes also: )

I not getting how it folds up into its case though....

autoteacher

rootboy 

Oh man. An Elna #1. That is so cool! Though I don't collect sewing machines, at all, I would be tempted to if I found something like that. Might start a whole new obsession.

Bicyclz

@ Autoteacher.
A picture paints a thousand words!
How neat.
Thanks for that: )

Sammie1

Oh my! I can't believe I've stumbled upon this thread. I too have been charmed by vintage sewing machines.

This followed me home one day.



I bought it for $60. It's a very rare 1941 Singer 201-2 because it's a blackside 201. I had no idea what it was besides the fact that it was a 201. I thought the chrome parts were severely tarnished. Little did I know that even some very serious collectors didn't know blackside 201's existed.

The blackside is due to WWII and the metal shortages. Singer switched over to blueing parts (instead of chrome) similar to how firearms are done today. Not all 1941 machines are blackside. So not only do I have a fantastic piece of machinery but also a wonderful piece of history.

It comes in a very nice cabinet (Singer cabinet #42), original to the machine, which doubles as a writing desk. It still has the ink well for fountain pens in that small left side drawer.
When I got the machine, it was frozen. It hadn't been used in 25 years or so. The cabinet also needed help.

So here's pics of before, during and after.

Condition of the finish when I got it vs after cleaning and polishing:











The blackside faceplate next to a chrome plate.





Stripped, stained and finished the cabinet. Used faux cow hide over the original vinyl on the stool for some pizzazz. The stool slides under the desk perfectly.




I use the machine as well. Most recent project was a new tablecloth. A joy to use as always and a great place for my grandpa's old lamp.




And because this is a bike forum (and before adjusting that lovely cheapie seat)

thinktubes 

Another thrift find (same place as the last one). Not priced, but probably less than $150.

Sir_Name 

This came through my GF's consignment shop a while back, no one but us wanted it. I still need to clean and oil it.

My best guess after next to no searching is Singer 20. Corrections appreciated. Any idea on year?



Neither of us sew, though I learned once. Plenty of seamstresses on my side of things.

nashvillebill

Yep that's one of the high-speed industrial machines, you can even see the sight glass to check for oil flow through the machine (they run in an oil bath). Nice table and the thread holders are on the far left of the table, seems like an unusual spot.

Bicyclz

Latest additions to our SM family are these three.

Front is a Singer 201K, a green 319K & 431G hiding in the corner.
Three cool Singers??

If you know, you know: )
Just like bikes; )

Bicyclz

Very nice/neat & in need of investigation I say.
I can't help much here, but very interested in the results.
There are no websites dedicated to these interests that I can find.
Sorry BF: )
Did you check Comprehensive Singer Serial Number Database

Maybe there is a need for such a dedicated site?? I think so.
Any responses?
Should be some, I'm saying; )
I'm willing to put in the time to sort it.
Online here Other Obsessions. Sewing machines?. ? Bicyclz.com
Presence is all??

rootboy 

That's a children's machine. very cool. See here;


https://www.etsy.com/listing/4772757...FZiCswodeloE5A



Pretty good info bog here:

https://oldsingersewingmachineblog.c...e-maintenance/

and here;

The Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog: How To Remove a 201 Bobbin Case

Bicyclz

Well done Rootboy; )
Looks like you got it!

Youngnitro1987

Hey there I have a 411g built in a table and old as threads ect with it any idea on price

cb400bill

There are two in Ebay's recently sold listings. One sold on a Buy It Now for $50 with $40 shipping. The other for $228.52 with free shipping.

nashvillebill

So as cb400bill's post indicates, you might find a buyer who really, really wants it for $228. Otherwise the $50 may not even get a buyer.

I had over a dozen machines at one time. Not counting an industrial machine which cost me $125 I believe, the most I gave for all of the others was around $75 for a Model 66 which had a killer cabinet and a ton of accessories. The others typically cost me $25, maybe $35 for one or two or perhaps even $50. That includes a 403 and 503 Rocketeer in perfect condition with a cabinet and accessories. The 600 series? People were giving them to me.

These old sewing machines don't have many serious collectors, in my opinion. And for general home use, there's just such a glut of good old Singers out there compared to very few people who still sew at home. The Model 221 Featherweight is perhaps the only unit out there that has a lot of people clamoring for, the quilting folks want it.

In my opinion of course.

Bicyclz

Sixtyfiver is absolutely correct to say that top machines are available for relative peanuts. (In USA as well as UK: )

You just need to know what you look for, & how little to pay for the privilege....

I've got an affection for the period Slant o'matics, the best of which are the 411 & 431s.
I started off with a 401G & soon realised how cool they were in the day, & now!
So I look for these machines on ebay, etc!


My 411M came in a dedicated table shown, (Italian made) & also with the crucial chain-stitch throat plate.... Paid £30 for it locally. Lovely machine: ) The 431 & 411s have certain parts in common & I'm experimenting above: )

My 431G also came with the essential chain-stitch throat plate for £25.... Needing some cosmetics, paint loss in certain areas, & one 'dodgy' throat plate fixing post. A common fault on the 431s because the throat plate fixing post looks like a crosshead screw. It isn't a screw, & they are often damaged by unaware owners trying to unscrew them!! Nevertheless my machine works very well & I'm happy to experiment with it, for £25; ) The actual chain stitch throat plate gets way more than £25 on its own. Which is why I took the 'chance'....

Interesting stuff for cycle fiends like me: )

Sir_Name 

Thanks for the great info @Bicyclz and @rootboy, appreciated.

Bicyclz

This thread needs feeding IMHO: )

To that end I show the absolute best of the Slants.
This is my second 431G & way better than the first I bought for 'spares': )
431Gs were only made in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1964/5 in small quantities.

Most now in US were brought back by Servicemen/wives. Voltage differences make it slightly problematic your side of the pond.
Look here: https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/431/ for reliable info on UK/EU available machines.

Just found this one on ebay recently & took a chance on a BIN. (The poor-ish pics helped; )
Turns out on collection to be 99% perfect, cosmetically & mechanically, with complete attachments, accessories & really neat case. Phew: )
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This is a free arm machine with chain-stitch capability, along with the normal multi-pattern stitching.


So cool, rare & amazing. (for me)

corrado33

Ah! I had forgotten about this thread!!

Here are a few of my recent acquisitions...

First, a sears machine in cabinet. Really cheap. Had a nice forum member over at sewing.patternreview.com send me parts for it for free! Haven't gotten around to thoroughly testing it.



Next, a Kingston Model 140 (I believe). It's a rebranded Brother machine from the 60s. I absolutely adore sewing on this machine. It's so smooth and quiet. It's a straight and zig zag machine.



Next, my largest singer. Is a singer model 111W153. Huge machine. JUST got needles and thread in yesterday to make it work correctly.



Finally, apologies for the non specific picture of it. But I also bought a tiny model 66 (in box). I put it next to the 111w153 for scale... Seller said the "timing was off" because something "hit" when you tried to sew. When I looked at at his house, It all looked good, feet went up when presser foot went down and needle went down. Took it home, threaded it CORRECTLY (left to right.) and it sews great. I believe it's from 1955.




And since this is bikeforums. I bought a folding peugeot recently.