My New Rocketeer -- Some Questions
 

On Saturday I got this beautiful Singer 503 at our church garage sale for $18. It is my first Rocketeer. The owner said her daughter had issues with the stitch, but so far I haven't encountered any problems. This week I hope to piece a Linus quilt and give it a work out.

My question is: where is the serial number? I took off the bottom and didn't see it, but maybe I am blind.

The other question I have concerns the slide plate. Although in the proper groove, it is extremely loose. Are the slide plates on this model magnetized?

The plate that lifts up can be a bit jiggly if not seated properly.

Wow! $18.00?? I'm surprised the cops weren't waiting for you to leave! LOL, beautiful machine!

It really was a steal! It was such a delight to visit with a member of the family that owned it. The machine held fond memories for her, and she was happy that it was going to someone who would appreciate it. I also got the box of attachments including 2 black side screw drivers (one is the small tension driver).

You are so fortunate. I missed out on one when I waited too long to go back to purchase it. One of my machines (I think it is my Singer 185J) had a loose slide plate. On the underside there was a metal strip that held it in place by tension. I bent the metal strip a bit and it holds very well now. See if yours has the same.

Kitsy,
Thanks for the tip. I have a 185 also and know that the slide plate there is tricky. The Rocketeer might have the same design. I will give it a try.
Dayle

Congratulations. I have a 503A which was the first Singer I purchased when I graduated. It was the machine used in the Singer classes and the serial number had a sticker with it hand written and still exists today. I checked mine last night and I could not find the actual serial number location either. You will love the machine and the decorative cams are readily available on ebay.

Update: my friend found research that describes a "leaf spring", which holds the slide plate in place. Upon examination of mine, I see that the left arm of it has been broken off. I have a Golden Touch and Sew 750 that is not in good repair and ready to be disposed of. It has the same leaf spring! I will attempt to remove it and install it on the rocketeer.

She also told me that the serial number is in the metal under the lip of the bed on the left side. I haven't checked that out yet.

Thanks, everybody, for your ideas. I want to get this machine in tip top shape.

My 401A has the same metal leaf spring, I guess it was a design they stuck with for quite awhile.

Such a cool machine!