Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell
03-22-2011, 06:57 PM
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Originally Posted by irishrose
Okay, I'm about to show my ignorance. If a 1912 66 has no motor and the spoked hand wheel is large, is it likely a handcrank machine?
03-22-2011, 07:01 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Calif (San Joaquin Valley)
Posts: 3,482
Originally Posted by irishrose
quiltmouse, your 403 is a metal machine probably made in the 50s, so it definitely vintage. Billy indicated about 1975 as the cut off timeline when I asked about my 1974 Elna. Miss Elle doesn't know she's vintage, though my other three machines do.
03-22-2011, 07:14 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
This is on ebay as a 'buy it now' for $35 or bid starting at $25. It's in W VA, I think. I don't want it, but it looks like it could clean up well. When I get 'my' treadle, I want it complete and I don't want a handcrank.
03-22-2011, 07:28 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 113
Another newbie with VSM disease!! Is there any known cure besides acquiring more machines?? ROFLMHO!!
While I've been sewing for more years than I care to remember it's always been on modern machines and I have a collection of those too...ranging from embroidery to coverstitch to overlocker to frame quilting but always drool over vintage machines, specially treadles.
Around 15 or so years ago I bought a Handcrank Minerva Portable at a clearing auction for $50 and around that time my MIL passed away and the family were going to toss this cute little, single drawer table that she used as a sewing table, although I don't think that was it's original purpose as it's not really designed with much leg space. But it's cute and suits the Minerva which sits on a very old, handmade, cutwork doily.
Having just moved to a new house with a big sewing/quilting room where all the machines will be setup all the time, I began looking on eBay for 'any old electric machine in working condition that I could convert to a felting machine' and found this little lady listed as 'Singer Sewing Machine - Black' with bids to start at 99 cents! Someone bid $1, another person went to $5 and my bid was $5.50. Arrangements were made to pickup as I live in a country area and would be visiting the city the next Saturday and I didn't even bother to open the case until the Tuesday because I wasn't expecting too much. What a surprise...looking back at me was this almost mint condition Singer 99-13 (I think) and while the top case wasn't the original (seller had already noted this) I quickly placed her on a table, turned the handwheel which was free-running, electrical connection/cable look OK, grabbed a scrap of fabric and did some stitches by hand...tension was a little off, so a slight tweak and it was perfect. Then my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to plug it in and give it a whirl!! Again, perfect stitches although a little small but I soon figured how to lengthen and this little girl runs like a swiss clock...just ticks away!! The handwheel is spoked which makes me curious if this was a handcrank originally? the electric motor is a Sew-Tric Ltd (London), the foot pedal is flat (not button style) and the extension table is hinged on both sides (a permanent fixture). It has no reverse and stitch length adjustor has no markings (just a chrome knob) serial number is Y9808840 which I found on the Singer site is a 1935 made in Clydebank, Scotland.
Instant decision...NO way will I be using this machine for felting, so I called to the local Op Shop to see if they had any feet and a bed screw to locate the seam guide when one of the volunteers working there said she had an 'old Singer' that she was about to toss out because she was moving house and doesn't sew. Someone had given it to her a few years ago and it was working, but doesn't any longer. Called to collect it later that day, as arranged, and unfortunately it didn't have any feet/accessories but once again placed it on a table and first thing I noticed was an 'extremely' bent needle...probably 1/2" to the LHS, no wonder it wouldn't sew, the needle couldn't go through the needle plate!! Removed the needle, turned the handwheel, inspected electrical connection/cable all appeared OK, so plugged it in. Works like a charm so this will be my felter and winging it's way to me from the US is a felting adaptor and an extra packet of felting needles. It is labelled 'Capri' on the front, and a quick search indicates it's from the early 60's, a nice little machine but doesn't compare to the 99.
I don't have photos of the Capri but will take some in a few days and post. In the meantime here are the (eBay) photos of my 99...if anyone knows more about this machine please don't hesitate to correct, or add, to the info.
Thanks for such a great group where everyone seems to be so friendly...I started to read from the beginning but gave up after 30 pages!!
:lol:
While I've been sewing for more years than I care to remember it's always been on modern machines and I have a collection of those too...ranging from embroidery to coverstitch to overlocker to frame quilting but always drool over vintage machines, specially treadles.
Around 15 or so years ago I bought a Handcrank Minerva Portable at a clearing auction for $50 and around that time my MIL passed away and the family were going to toss this cute little, single drawer table that she used as a sewing table, although I don't think that was it's original purpose as it's not really designed with much leg space. But it's cute and suits the Minerva which sits on a very old, handmade, cutwork doily.
Having just moved to a new house with a big sewing/quilting room where all the machines will be setup all the time, I began looking on eBay for 'any old electric machine in working condition that I could convert to a felting machine' and found this little lady listed as 'Singer Sewing Machine - Black' with bids to start at 99 cents! Someone bid $1, another person went to $5 and my bid was $5.50. Arrangements were made to pickup as I live in a country area and would be visiting the city the next Saturday and I didn't even bother to open the case until the Tuesday because I wasn't expecting too much. What a surprise...looking back at me was this almost mint condition Singer 99-13 (I think) and while the top case wasn't the original (seller had already noted this) I quickly placed her on a table, turned the handwheel which was free-running, electrical connection/cable look OK, grabbed a scrap of fabric and did some stitches by hand...tension was a little off, so a slight tweak and it was perfect. Then my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to plug it in and give it a whirl!! Again, perfect stitches although a little small but I soon figured how to lengthen and this little girl runs like a swiss clock...just ticks away!! The handwheel is spoked which makes me curious if this was a handcrank originally? the electric motor is a Sew-Tric Ltd (London), the foot pedal is flat (not button style) and the extension table is hinged on both sides (a permanent fixture). It has no reverse and stitch length adjustor has no markings (just a chrome knob) serial number is Y9808840 which I found on the Singer site is a 1935 made in Clydebank, Scotland.
Instant decision...NO way will I be using this machine for felting, so I called to the local Op Shop to see if they had any feet and a bed screw to locate the seam guide when one of the volunteers working there said she had an 'old Singer' that she was about to toss out because she was moving house and doesn't sew. Someone had given it to her a few years ago and it was working, but doesn't any longer. Called to collect it later that day, as arranged, and unfortunately it didn't have any feet/accessories but once again placed it on a table and first thing I noticed was an 'extremely' bent needle...probably 1/2" to the LHS, no wonder it wouldn't sew, the needle couldn't go through the needle plate!! Removed the needle, turned the handwheel, inspected electrical connection/cable all appeared OK, so plugged it in. Works like a charm so this will be my felter and winging it's way to me from the US is a felting adaptor and an extra packet of felting needles. It is labelled 'Capri' on the front, and a quick search indicates it's from the early 60's, a nice little machine but doesn't compare to the 99.
I don't have photos of the Capri but will take some in a few days and post. In the meantime here are the (eBay) photos of my 99...if anyone knows more about this machine please don't hesitate to correct, or add, to the info.
Thanks for such a great group where everyone seems to be so friendly...I started to read from the beginning but gave up after 30 pages!!
:lol:
03-22-2011, 07:48 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 476
Welcome!! We all like to share how we got the VSM disease. More machines is a good answer. Can't wait to see your other pics. Enjoy reading.
Melinda
Melinda
Originally Posted by HanNatNana
Another newbie with VSM disease!! Is there any known cure besides acquiring more machines?? ROFLMHO!!
While I've been sewing for more years than I care to remember it's always been on modern machines and I have a collection of those too...ranging from embroidery to coverstitch to overlocker to frame quilting but always drool over vintage machines, specially treadles.
Around 15 or so years ago I bought a Handcrank Minerva Portable at a clearing auction for $50 and around that time my MIL passed away and the family were going to toss this cute little, single drawer table that she used as a sewing table, although I don't think that was it's original purpose as it's not really designed with much leg space. But it's cute and suits the Minerva which sits on a very old, handmade, cutwork doily.
Having just moved to a new house with a big sewing/quilting room where all the machines will be setup all the time, I began looking on eBay for 'any old electric machine in working condition that I could convert to a felting machine' and found this little lady listed as 'Singer Sewing Machine - Black' with bids to start at 99 cents! Someone bid $1, another person went to $5 and my bid was $5.50. Arrangements were made to pickup as I live in a country area and would be visiting the city the next Saturday and I didn't even bother to open the case until the Tuesday because I wasn't expecting too much. What a surprise...looking back at me was this almost mint condition Singer 99-13 (I think) and while the top case wasn't the original (seller had already noted this) I quickly placed her on a table, turned the handwheel which was free-running, electrical connection/cable look OK, grabbed a scrap of fabric and did some stitches by hand...tension was a little off, so a slight tweak and it was perfect. Then my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to plug it in and give it a whirl!! Again, perfect stitches although a little small but I soon figured how to lengthen and this little girl runs like a swiss clock...just ticks away!! The handwheel is spoked which makes me curious if this was a handcrank originally? the electric motor is a Sew-Tric Ltd (London), the foot pedal is flat (not button style) and the extension table is hinged on both sides (a permanent fixture). It has no reverse and stitch length adjustor has no markings (just a chrome knob) serial number is Y9808840 which I found on the Singer site is a 1935 made in Clydebank, Scotland.
Instant decision...NO way will I be using this machine for felting, so I called to the local Op Shop to see if they had any feet and a bed screw to locate the seam guide when one of the volunteers working there said she had an 'old Singer' that she was about to toss out because she was moving house and doesn't sew. Someone had given it to her a few years ago and it was working, but doesn't any longer. Called to collect it later that day, as arranged, and unfortunately it didn't have any feet/accessories but once again placed it on a table and first thing I noticed was an 'extremely' bent needle...probably 1/2" to the LHS, no wonder it wouldn't sew, the needle couldn't go through the needle plate!! Removed the needle, turned the handwheel, inspected electrical connection/cable all appeared OK, so plugged it in. Works like a charm so this will be my felter and winging it's way to me from the US is a felting adaptor and an extra packet of felting needles. It is labelled 'Capri' on the front, and a quick search indicates it's from the early 60's, a nice little machine but doesn't compare to the 99.
I don't have photos of the Capri but will take some in a few days and post. In the meantime here are the (eBay) photos of my 99...if anyone knows more about this machine please don't hesitate to correct, or add, to the info.
Thanks for such a great group where everyone seems to be so friendly...I started to read from the beginning but gave up after 30 pages!!
:lol:
While I've been sewing for more years than I care to remember it's always been on modern machines and I have a collection of those too...ranging from embroidery to coverstitch to overlocker to frame quilting but always drool over vintage machines, specially treadles.
Around 15 or so years ago I bought a Handcrank Minerva Portable at a clearing auction for $50 and around that time my MIL passed away and the family were going to toss this cute little, single drawer table that she used as a sewing table, although I don't think that was it's original purpose as it's not really designed with much leg space. But it's cute and suits the Minerva which sits on a very old, handmade, cutwork doily.
Having just moved to a new house with a big sewing/quilting room where all the machines will be setup all the time, I began looking on eBay for 'any old electric machine in working condition that I could convert to a felting machine' and found this little lady listed as 'Singer Sewing Machine - Black' with bids to start at 99 cents! Someone bid $1, another person went to $5 and my bid was $5.50. Arrangements were made to pickup as I live in a country area and would be visiting the city the next Saturday and I didn't even bother to open the case until the Tuesday because I wasn't expecting too much. What a surprise...looking back at me was this almost mint condition Singer 99-13 (I think) and while the top case wasn't the original (seller had already noted this) I quickly placed her on a table, turned the handwheel which was free-running, electrical connection/cable look OK, grabbed a scrap of fabric and did some stitches by hand...tension was a little off, so a slight tweak and it was perfect. Then my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to plug it in and give it a whirl!! Again, perfect stitches although a little small but I soon figured how to lengthen and this little girl runs like a swiss clock...just ticks away!! The handwheel is spoked which makes me curious if this was a handcrank originally? the electric motor is a Sew-Tric Ltd (London), the foot pedal is flat (not button style) and the extension table is hinged on both sides (a permanent fixture). It has no reverse and stitch length adjustor has no markings (just a chrome knob) serial number is Y9808840 which I found on the Singer site is a 1935 made in Clydebank, Scotland.
Instant decision...NO way will I be using this machine for felting, so I called to the local Op Shop to see if they had any feet and a bed screw to locate the seam guide when one of the volunteers working there said she had an 'old Singer' that she was about to toss out because she was moving house and doesn't sew. Someone had given it to her a few years ago and it was working, but doesn't any longer. Called to collect it later that day, as arranged, and unfortunately it didn't have any feet/accessories but once again placed it on a table and first thing I noticed was an 'extremely' bent needle...probably 1/2" to the LHS, no wonder it wouldn't sew, the needle couldn't go through the needle plate!! Removed the needle, turned the handwheel, inspected electrical connection/cable all appeared OK, so plugged it in. Works like a charm so this will be my felter and winging it's way to me from the US is a felting adaptor and an extra packet of felting needles. It is labelled 'Capri' on the front, and a quick search indicates it's from the early 60's, a nice little machine but doesn't compare to the 99.
I don't have photos of the Capri but will take some in a few days and post. In the meantime here are the (eBay) photos of my 99...if anyone knows more about this machine please don't hesitate to correct, or add, to the info.
Thanks for such a great group where everyone seems to be so friendly...I started to read from the beginning but gave up after 30 pages!!
:lol:
03-22-2011, 07:57 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by Glenn
Just read all the threads on wood. First the myth buster-wood is dead so no oil in the wood. It is the moisture content that is critical. Wood should by dried to about 12-15%. This prevents warping and workable into furniture. If the wood was any wetter it would not take a finish. Furniture likes around 30% humidity to be happy and so do people so if you are comfortable so is the furniture and pianos. Guardsmen is a polish like wax and is applied to protect the finish on the wood not the wood. Since most finish are shellac or varnish so some oils like lemon oil old english when applied just sit on top of the finish and it can't get to wood thru the finish anyway. These oil make the finish look good until it evaporates and has to applied again. It is a myth you need to feed the wood with linseed oil this to will not go thru the finish to wood. Wood is dead and does not need feeding anymore. There are oil finish such as teak to keep the wood looking good and tung oil but remember these are finishes just like shellac or varnish. The idea of finished wood is to keep moisture from transfering in and out of the wood which can cause warping and rot. Of course to protect the wood from damages caused by use. I use paste wax once a year on my antiques and dust regularly with a soft cloth to bring back the shine. Also a waxed surface is slick so when objects are moved across the finish it will scratch less. We say the wood looks dry but what we are seeing is the old finish that is worn dull and flaking. So we apply oil and it looks good but this is only temp until it evaporates. We see ugly finish such as sewing machine cabinets, so we strip and under all the old finish is good sound and beautiful wood that only needs a good finish again to bring it back to life. I don't think the original owners fed the wood with oil but a 100+years later after all the old finish is gone the wood is still good. The third myth is wax build up with pledge, pedge has no wax in it to build up it it mostly oil(lemon) and perfumes to make the house smell good. Wax will not build up either because everytime to apply it it takes the old wax off. What we see as wax built up is mostly oil a dust that has collected on the finish when we dust with oil. Or the wax is applied to thickly and not buffed off to a shine. I hope this answers some of you questions without being to windy. I have nothing against polishes such as guardsmen they are to protect the finish and not the wood. So use what you prefer and what you like the looks of I just wanted everyone to know the real story. Just don't use it on unfinished wood thinking you are feeding it, remember wood is dead and needs no food. Please do not be upset with me I am very serious about restoring antique furniture and sometimes get carried away. Glenn
Nancy
03-22-2011, 07:59 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by olebat
New (to my home) Singer 66 for $16
Speaking of cleaning – recommendations for surface cleaning of this 66?
Speaking of cleaning – recommendations for surface cleaning of this 66?
Nancy
03-22-2011, 08:01 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by quiltmouse
newbie pulling up a stool?
Singer 403 Slantomatic. I have all the bits pcs cams manual, everything. A couple of fancy gadget feet that I never have fiddled with. One is supposed to be a ruffler.
Is that too young for this club? :mrgreen:
That Universal is just adorable.
Singer 403 Slantomatic. I have all the bits pcs cams manual, everything. A couple of fancy gadget feet that I never have fiddled with. One is supposed to be a ruffler.
Is that too young for this club? :mrgreen:
That Universal is just adorable.
Nancy
03-22-2011, 08:05 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by Kitzone
Photo Update 1930 White Rotary: Here is a photo of the cabinet.
If you have extra time check out:
http://community.webshots.com/user/a...ession?start=0
If you have extra time check out:
http://community.webshots.com/user/a...ession?start=0
Nancy
03-22-2011, 08:09 PM
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Rescue, California
Posts: 4,585
Originally Posted by Happy Treadler
I did clean up my Universal a bit tonight. Here's a few pics: http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...03630418tNyDfe
Really love all the little unique things about this machine, and I LOVE the color!
Really love all the little unique things about this machine, and I LOVE the color!
Nancy
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