Singer Sphinx treadle
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Old machines turn up in the local charity shop regularly (not all the time, but I see quite a few nice machines a year). In reasonably good condition (yet dirty and in need of care) they are first priced around $180-200. They stand there for a week or to, if not sold price goes down to 100, the good machines are usually sold then. A week later they are often set down to around $70, and treadles are always go withing a day or two at that price. These are usually not complete, mabye with a few bobbins and feet, some have traces of rust, but never terribly much. Domed cased machines usually go for 60 dollars, hand cranks are sometimes more sought after than electrical for some reason. I guess it varies from time to time and place to place, but the prices seem to reasonably predictable. The bargain give aways are often on sites like craiglist or towards the end of a fleamarked weekend or garage sale.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 673
Sewing machines are like pianos - they were made by the millions and, 75 years ago, just about every home had one. Their commonness, and the fact that far fewer people today sew (or play the piano), keeps supply high and demand low. Good for buyers, bad for sellers. I think the best sales tool is a good, thorough description and, if possible, demonstration, whether live or video.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: North country Wisc.
Posts: 328
Make sure your tension springs are all good!! I bought one & the tension spring for the bobbinwinder was broken & I couldn't find one for it. Hunted all over the internet shops that sell parts for old machines. I finally sold it to a treadle restorer & he's using it to put other machines together. Don't know maybe I could have looked & found one?!
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
...the tension spring for the bobbinwinder was broken & I couldn't find one for it. Hunted all over the internet shops that sell parts for old machines. I finally sold it to a treadle restorer & he's using it to put other machines together. Don't know maybe I could have looked & found one?!
Last edited by Mickey2; 10-03-2016 at 10:49 AM.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 644
I use ismacs, they list model number too. Your cousin's turns out to be a model 128 made in 1939. It's a nice little machine, is it sill in use?
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