Went and looked at a Singer Dressmaker, but the motor sounded AWFUL...
02-03-2012, 04:56 AM
#21
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SOO, MI
Posts: 838
Thanks for your knowledge, the link you provided is the one I am looking at, she is in a cabinet. I am starting to think that maybe the noise was normal. 
I haven't sewn on a vintage machine, I know they are loud. Can you suggest a price I should pay of this?? She was originally asking $30. I know I need to change to the belts, clean her and oil her up.
TIA
I haven't sewn on a vintage machine, I know they are loud. Can you suggest a price I should pay of this?? She was originally asking $30. I know I need to change to the belts, clean her and oil her up.TIA
Kay, the Singer 237 is a great machine. It is one of the last all-metal interior machines that Singer made. It is reliable, heavy, and sturdy, and has a 1 amp motor, making it more powerful than a 15-91 or 201-2. There's only one piece of plastic in the interior, and that's the little gate that holds the bobbin case in. It's possible that some people are confusing this with a different machine.
Noises by themselves are nothing to be scared of, nor is a jammed machine--sometimes it's as simple as a thread tangle blocking up the works. It would be a shame to pass on a quality machine like a 237 if it is something simple, but because I don't have a clear idea of what the noise sounded like, I can't begin to guess what it might be.
Do you have a mechnically-inclined friend who can come with you to check the machine out?
Noises by themselves are nothing to be scared of, nor is a jammed machine--sometimes it's as simple as a thread tangle blocking up the works. It would be a shame to pass on a quality machine like a 237 if it is something simple, but because I don't have a clear idea of what the noise sounded like, I can't begin to guess what it might be.
Do you have a mechnically-inclined friend who can come with you to check the machine out?
02-03-2012, 09:36 AM
#22
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02-03-2012, 06:52 PM
#23
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
I have a Singer 237 and its a lovely machine; a very basic machine, only 2 stitches:straight and zig zag. It treadles great I have FMQ several baby quilts with mine. I got mine for $20 at a thrift shop a few years ago. It was loud when I first got it, needed cleaning and oiling.
Sharon W.
Sharon W.
02-05-2012, 09:02 PM
#25
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: New York City
Posts: 138
Hi Kay, it's tough for me to estimate prices since there's no standard that everyone adheres to, prices seem to vary across the country, and most importantly--I really don't know the condition of the machine! If there is something seriously wrong with it, $30 is too much; if it's in perfect working order, I'd pay $30 for it, but that has to be modified by the fact that I live in NYC, where $30 for anything is a steal; and I also don't have to pay a repairperson to go over the machines that I acquire, as that's my hobby.
The bottom line is, a vintage sewing machine is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. I've found that no matter what price you pay, you'll eventually find out that another person paid half of that for the same machine, and yet another person paid double.
- Rain
Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/
The bottom line is, a vintage sewing machine is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. I've found that no matter what price you pay, you'll eventually find out that another person paid half of that for the same machine, and yet another person paid double.
- Rain
Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/
02-06-2012, 04:25 AM
#26
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SOO, MI
Posts: 838
Thanks for your thoughts, I agree price is what I make of it and where we live. I think I will offer her $15 and see of she will take it, I will let you know.
Hi Kay, it's tough for me to estimate prices since there's no standard that
everyone adheres to, prices seem to vary across the country, and most importantly--I really don't know the condition of the machine! If there is something seriously wrong with it, $30 is too much; if it's in perfect working order, I'd pay $30 for it, but that has to be modified by the fact that I live in NYC, where $30 for anything is a steal; and I also don't have to pay a repairperson to go over the machines that I acquire, as that's my hobby.
The bottom line is, a vintage sewing machine is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. I've found that no matter what price you pay, you'll eventually find out that another person paid half of that for the same machine, and yet another person paid double.
- Rain
Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/
everyone adheres to, prices seem to vary across the country, and most importantly--I really don't know the condition of the machine! If there is something seriously wrong with it, $30 is too much; if it's in perfect working order, I'd pay $30 for it, but that has to be modified by the fact that I live in NYC, where $30 for anything is a steal; and I also don't have to pay a repairperson to go over the machines that I acquire, as that's my hobby.
The bottom line is, a vintage sewing machine is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. I've found that no matter what price you pay, you'll eventually find out that another person paid half of that for the same machine, and yet another person paid double.
- Rain
Vintage Singer Sewing Machine Blog
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/
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