Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
  • Looking For an ELNA Grasshopper?  Check Out This GW Auction. >
  • Looking For an ELNA Grasshopper? Check Out This GW Auction.

  • Looking For an ELNA Grasshopper? Check Out This GW Auction.

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 03-01-2015, 05:49 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
    Posts: 4,897
    Default Looking For an ELNA Grasshopper? Check Out This GW Auction.

    It the more modern style and the listing says that the, "motor is jammed." I'm sure it is probably something that one of you could easily fix. Comes with the case too. Presently bidding at $19.99. Unfortunately, it's pick-up only in WA.

    http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions...-20199166.html
    tropit is offline  
    Old 03-01-2015, 08:20 AM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Mrs. SewNSew's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2014
    Location: Mendocino County CA
    Posts: 1,976
    Default

    It's a Supermatic. People seem to call them "grasshopper" if they are green but technically they aren't. You never know with GW. It could be a bobbin thread jam or it could be that the underpinnings are rusted solid.
    Mrs. SewNSew is offline  
    Old 03-01-2015, 08:40 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2013
    Location: Centralia, WA, USA
    Posts: 4,890
    Default

    That one is tempting. I'm pretty certain the case is worth more than the opening bid. Trouble is I'm going to be in the area on the 2nd, then won't be going that way again for a few weeks. It works better if I can combine trips.
    Rodney
    Rodney is offline  
    Old 03-01-2015, 08:53 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Macybaby's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2013
    Location: South Dakota
    Posts: 8,146
    Default

    I am looking for a Grasshopper - to add to my collection of small machines. I've seen one in person - they sure are tiny. The Supermatic may look similar in pictures - but it's more of a normal size machine.
    Macybaby is offline  
    Old 03-01-2015, 08:55 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2012
    Posts: 1,131
    Default

    A friend gave away one of those that was passed down from an in-law. It had attachments and the owner's manual. She said it was so noisy she couldn't stand it. Any of you ever use one? Is it a pain to set up, or do you leave it up all the time? Guess you've figured out by now that it lives here, waiting for me to find a round tuit. It is a Supermatic. Until reading the post from Macybaby, I thought all the green fold out metal case ones were Grasshoppers.

    Last edited by elnan; 03-01-2015 at 09:00 AM. Reason: add info
    elnan is offline  
    Old 03-01-2015, 10:20 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Mrs. SewNSew's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2014
    Location: Mendocino County CA
    Posts: 1,976
    Default

    If it's horribly noisy it has no doubt developed a flat spot on the friction wheel. It's a common problem--kind of a design flaw I'd say. You can get a new friction wheel from White's Sewing Center for about 24.00. Once you've replaced it, yu want to unscrew the clutch and back the hand wheel off a bit to keep pressure off that part when the machine is not in use. It's a nice little machine. It takes the Elna cams which give you plenty of fun patterns and stitches.
    Mrs. SewNSew is offline  
    Old 03-02-2015, 05:50 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Posts: 2,061
    Default

    I have one and the person who cleaned and oiled it said it ran the quietest of any machine he had ever seen. He was imprssed. The true grasshopper is the skinny one that has a metal case and fits into the case for sewing, not the big clunky one.
    lclang is offline  
    Old 03-02-2015, 05:53 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
    Posts: 4,897
    Default

    That's true it is technically a Supermatic, but since many people call them Grasshoppers, I thought I'd use that term to draw attention to it. I didn't know they were noisy.
    tropit is offline  
    Old 03-02-2015, 06:17 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Mrs. SewNSew's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2014
    Location: Mendocino County CA
    Posts: 1,976
    Default

    They are only noisy if they have a problem.
    Mrs. SewNSew is offline  
    Old 03-02-2015, 07:25 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2012
    Posts: 1,131
    Default

    Originally Posted by Mrs. SewNSew
    If it's horribly noisy it has no doubt developed a flat spot on the friction wheel. It's a common problem--kind of a design flaw I'd say. You can get a new friction wheel from White's Sewing Center for about 24.00. Once you've replaced it, yu want to unscrew the clutch and back the hand wheel off a bit to keep pressure off that part when the machine is not in use. It's a nice little machine. It takes the Elna cams which give you plenty of fun patterns and stitches.
    Thanks Christy. That's territory I haven't gotten into. I may call on you when I get to that stage. Right now it's sitting next to the 3/4 size "Rodney" by DeLuxe that she gave me at the same time.
    elnan is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Borletti Milano
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    13
    08-02-2021 09:40 AM
    Kelsie
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    28
    09-15-2018 11:18 PM
    Mrs. SewNSew
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    4
    03-23-2015 05:03 AM
    aorlflood
    Pictures
    79
    08-07-2011 10:52 PM
    Aunt Sue
    Main
    65
    07-31-2011 04:51 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is Off
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter