Bel-air? What can you tell me......
#1
Bel-air? What can you tell me......
There was a little ad in today's paper for "antique sewing machine" so I called......she said she thought it was a Singer which is what I collect usually. Well, when I got there, she said she was wrong, it is a Bel Air and really sews good....I thought it was so pretty and appeared to have been so well taken care of----and she only wanted $30--------To me it looks like a clone of my 201----I know it was made in Japan but that is about all....and haven't found much on the net. Any information is really appreciated.
#3
#5
If she says "Made in Occupied Japan" on the label on her arm under the Los Angelesd part, then she's a twin to my Bel Air along with another gal's Bel Air. I don't have a manual buit she threads easily and sews through everything including military uniforms seams quite handily. I don't believe the feed dogs drop. I printed off an HA-1 manual from the internet for reference material but can't tell you where I got it. Mine came with mummified bugs and a mouse - hope yours is cleaner. PM me if you want more info.
Chris
Chris
#7
Not everyone. German versions of Singer machines are much better quality than the Japanese ones. The latter are a bit of a lottery: Some are good, some aren't. Original Singers are cheap and plentiful enough that if I want a 15 or 201, I'll buy an original. The Singers aren't the most sophisticated machines but are very consistent and original model 15s are always tougher than the Japanese copies, in my experience.
Japanese copies are usually colourful and dripping with chrome and this is why most people like them.
The only clone I have is a Seidel and Naumann MOP 15 clone.
Japanese copies are usually colourful and dripping with chrome and this is why most people like them.
The only clone I have is a Seidel and Naumann MOP 15 clone.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
If it's like the other BelAir posted it has a drop in class 66 bobbin. I really want to see the underside. If it's gear driven then it's a 201 clone. It could just as easily be based more on a 66 with a 15 style stitch length selector though.
Try Singerco.com for either a 66 or 201 manual. They're free downloads. The HA-1 manual will have different instructions for adjusting your tensions.
Rodney
Try Singerco.com for either a 66 or 201 manual. They're free downloads. The HA-1 manual will have different instructions for adjusting your tensions.
Rodney
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