singer 15 91
#1
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
What are your thought on buying a refurbished machine...they go from 150 + shipping and up....which is around 45.00. on ebay..
then there are a few on ebay that are not refurbished that are 50 and a little more, that they say works..
I don't know how much it cost to have one of these machines fixed and if you have to have a specialty person to fix them, will a regular sewing machine shop fix them? I asked my hubby if he could rewire it if I got one that had older wires on it and he said maybe..LOL,,that didn't sound to good..Also if I bought one that needed work I may be ahead to get one that was refurbished and not have to try and find someone to fix it and then the cost to fix it maybe a lot..
I really want one of these machines after reading how well they FMQ and they have a bigger throat and they are a real work horse of a machine...Just can't make up my mind which one I should buy, any help on this would be great..
I have been looking on Craig's list and nothing listed ebay has a few I also have been looking for one for a few months now with no luck...Thanks for your help ...Carol
then there are a few on ebay that are not refurbished that are 50 and a little more, that they say works..
I don't know how much it cost to have one of these machines fixed and if you have to have a specialty person to fix them, will a regular sewing machine shop fix them? I asked my hubby if he could rewire it if I got one that had older wires on it and he said maybe..LOL,,that didn't sound to good..Also if I bought one that needed work I may be ahead to get one that was refurbished and not have to try and find someone to fix it and then the cost to fix it maybe a lot..
I really want one of these machines after reading how well they FMQ and they have a bigger throat and they are a real work horse of a machine...Just can't make up my mind which one I should buy, any help on this would be great..
I have been looking on Craig's list and nothing listed ebay has a few I also have been looking for one for a few months now with no luck...Thanks for your help ...Carol
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bluebell
Posts: 4,291
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I bought both of mine locally, for $20 many years ago, and $50 a couple years ago. I think if you look around, you will be able to find one easily in that range. What part of Illinois are you in? In case I would find one. They are great machines, my work horses. FMQ is great, the feed dogs drop. My dh cleans oils and takes care of mine (I could, but apparently he does it better than me).LOL. I know you can go on line for anything you need as far as repairs etc to get more info. They are great machines, but really 50-75 is plenty for an old machine. ( I say that but I love mine to pieces)
#5
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Where in Illinois are you?
I'm also in Illinois. I have a few 15 clones and I just picked up my first 15-91 last weekend. It's currently undergoing a "spa treatment". I found mine in an antique store in Morris in a cabinet. It was the cabinet I was interested in and when I flipped the lid ... lo and behold sat an almost perfect 15-91. There happened to be an electric outlet right there so I plugged it in to check it out. The motor ran and the balance wheel turned, but the needle bar did not move. I tried to tighten the balance wheel stop and it wouldn't work. I talked to the guy and told him, and demonstrated, that the machine did not work and got it for 1/2 price. It was listed at $110 (with the cabinet).
Mine did need some work, and I'm still working on it. The problem with the balance wheel turned out to be a missing washer .. which I found in one of the drawers. I had it sewing but the tension was not to my liking. Knowing I was going to strip the tensioner down for a good cleaning (now in process), I didn't try to adjust it at all as it would have been moot.
I'm doing all the work myself. I'm not a machine technician although I am mechanically inclined (as a kid I used to love to take my mothers appliances apart - luckily they always went back together and worked well when I was done!). I didn't know squat about tearing a sewing machine down when I started collecting and cleaning/fixing vintage machines. I learn something new with each machine.
If you are mechanically inclined, there are lots and lots of free manuals, tutorials and video's on cleaning and repairing Singer machines, especially a 15-91 as they are much sought after machines. There is also a great support group here who have helped me, and many others along our vintage journey.
So keep your eye's open for machines on Craig's list, E-Bay and goodwill shops. A hint ... E-bay tends to be higher than Craig's, but you see a broader area on E-bay and many will ship. Generally speaking ... E-bay seems to be people trying to make a few extra $$, Craig's list seems to be people trying to rid of stuff (sometimes the stuff is real crap).
And ... you might also consider what is referred to as a "15 Clone". These are Japanese (usually) made machines that were cloned after the Singer 15. Lots of times they come in lovely colors as well (Singer like Ford gave you a choice of black, black or black). Most (all?) clones will be class 15 ... but not a 91 with the potted motor and direct gear drive - they're all belt driven. Still great machines, and many will have a deck mounted push-button to raise or lower the feed dogs (the 15-91 has to be tilted forward and a thumb screw adjusted to drop feed dogs).
Take a look at some 15 clones here ... http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ml#post6072223
I'm also in Illinois. I have a few 15 clones and I just picked up my first 15-91 last weekend. It's currently undergoing a "spa treatment". I found mine in an antique store in Morris in a cabinet. It was the cabinet I was interested in and when I flipped the lid ... lo and behold sat an almost perfect 15-91. There happened to be an electric outlet right there so I plugged it in to check it out. The motor ran and the balance wheel turned, but the needle bar did not move. I tried to tighten the balance wheel stop and it wouldn't work. I talked to the guy and told him, and demonstrated, that the machine did not work and got it for 1/2 price. It was listed at $110 (with the cabinet).
Mine did need some work, and I'm still working on it. The problem with the balance wheel turned out to be a missing washer .. which I found in one of the drawers. I had it sewing but the tension was not to my liking. Knowing I was going to strip the tensioner down for a good cleaning (now in process), I didn't try to adjust it at all as it would have been moot.
I'm doing all the work myself. I'm not a machine technician although I am mechanically inclined (as a kid I used to love to take my mothers appliances apart - luckily they always went back together and worked well when I was done!). I didn't know squat about tearing a sewing machine down when I started collecting and cleaning/fixing vintage machines. I learn something new with each machine.
If you are mechanically inclined, there are lots and lots of free manuals, tutorials and video's on cleaning and repairing Singer machines, especially a 15-91 as they are much sought after machines. There is also a great support group here who have helped me, and many others along our vintage journey.
So keep your eye's open for machines on Craig's list, E-Bay and goodwill shops. A hint ... E-bay tends to be higher than Craig's, but you see a broader area on E-bay and many will ship. Generally speaking ... E-bay seems to be people trying to make a few extra $$, Craig's list seems to be people trying to rid of stuff (sometimes the stuff is real crap).
And ... you might also consider what is referred to as a "15 Clone". These are Japanese (usually) made machines that were cloned after the Singer 15. Lots of times they come in lovely colors as well (Singer like Ford gave you a choice of black, black or black). Most (all?) clones will be class 15 ... but not a 91 with the potted motor and direct gear drive - they're all belt driven. Still great machines, and many will have a deck mounted push-button to raise or lower the feed dogs (the 15-91 has to be tilted forward and a thumb screw adjusted to drop feed dogs).
Take a look at some 15 clones here ... http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ml#post6072223
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 952
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I bought a perfect 301 at a garage sale. It was in a great cabinet and the "kids" were selling off all the stuff after their mother passed. I brought it home and am currently making my 5th quilt on it. Keep your eyes open. I still have my grandmother's 15 91 that she bought in 1937 and that baby runs as smooth as silk. Also, I have purchased 3 off of ebay, a featherweight that needed a new foot pedal but the seller sent me a new one. I bought at 301a and the machine was in perfect condition but when I open the box, the carrying case literally dissolved but the machine was perfect and the price was right. I also bought a coffin box 99 singer off ebay and it was spectacular - works great and the seller packed it perfectly. I made the UPS man stand right there while I opened it and he was astonished that was that old and worked perfectly and the carrying case was immaculate. Just be careful, there are great people on ebay and some....not so much. Pay Pal stands behind any of my issues.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,529
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm in the "look local" camp. I found a 15-91 in a cabinet at a garage sale for $30. Previous owner died, and her elderly husband, bless his heart, had tried to update the wiring. My husband spent about 20 minutes correcting the poor feller's wiring mistakes and now it works beautifully.
#9
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My xl3500i is refurbished have had it 5 years and still runs like the day I bought it off overstock, just make sure it works right away, and make sure there is a good return policy on the product.
#10
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
wow after reading all the post I want a 15 91 more and more!... I just have to get one, but I guess I will just keep looking and see if I can come up with a good deal...but it is so hard to wait... Thanks everyone for your input
I just thought that if I got a refurbished one I wouldn't have anything to worry about and it would work well.. but 150 for the machine and another 50 to shipp is to high priced
I just thought that if I got a refurbished one I wouldn't have anything to worry about and it would work well.. but 150 for the machine and another 50 to shipp is to high priced
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
miriam
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
154
03-12-2014 07:43 AM