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sixfootdan Samba Smartass
Joined: February 13, 2002 Posts: 4848 Location: \Lo*ca"tion\, n. 1. The act or process of locating.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:08 pm Post subject: Who is into vintage sewing machines? |
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I can purchase a 1952 Toyota sewing machine in perfect working order. It will do heavy canvas and such with no problem but I know absolutely nothing about them. I may flip it or I might keep it just because. I was curious if anyone else was an expert on them? _________________ Schrodinger's cat walked into a bar and it didn't.
GO SEAHAWKS!!! |
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sixfootdan Samba Smartass
Joined: February 13, 2002 Posts: 4848 Location: \Lo*ca"tion\, n. 1. The act or process of locating.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, Tough crowd! _________________ Schrodinger's cat walked into a bar and it didn't.
GO SEAHAWKS!!! |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51144 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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I've got a 1953 Singer 155W that I use regularly, awesome machine.
I know nothing about the Toyoda but they make great trucks, cars and forklifts.
Best you check on parts availabilty before pulling the trigger, sometimes stuff like that is for sale for a reason. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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I think my sister has a swinger that was made way back in '03. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16758 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:35 am Post subject: |
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My wife has, regularly uses and maintains a late 1800s Singer treadle.... Cant help you on those new-fangled electric ones..... _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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coad Samba Scapegoat
Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Messerschmitt made some handsome sewing machines after the war:
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21518 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:46 am Post subject: |
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Nice thread actually. I like/am interested in any well made old industrial equipment. As part of the industry I work in...off on the fringes....garment production and industrial sewing used to be part of the section I worked years ago. I used to go to a trade show that was just for all of that (industrial sewing, seaming, embroidery)....called the Bobbin Show.
It was amazing to see the industrial sewing machines....Singer, Toyota, Bernina, SWF, Fafnir, Tajima.....
New Industrial single head sewing machines still look like 1940....and are bulletproof and can run for eons....and cost $$$$$. Ray |
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coad Samba Scapegoat
Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:40 am Post subject: |
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raygreenwood wrote: |
Nice thread actually. I like/am interested in any well made old industrial equipment. As part of the industry I work in...off on the fringes....garment production and industrial sewing used to be part of the section I worked years ago. I used to go to a trade show that was just for all of that (industrial sewing, seaming, embroidery)....called the Bobbin Show.
It was amazing to see the industrial sewing machines....Singer, Toyota, Bernina, SWF, Fafnir, Tajima.....
New Industrial single head sewing machines still look like 1940....and are bulletproof and can run for eons....and cost $$$$$. Ray |
It is kind of interesting that there's so much overlap between sewing machines and car/motorcycle manufacturers. Toyota, Messerschmitt, and I know Zundapp made sewing machines, and I think both Opel and NSU started out with sewing machines and got into cars and motorcycles later.
I guess precision manufacturing is the same regardless of what you're making. |
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21518 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:58 am Post subject: |
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coad wrote: |
raygreenwood wrote: |
Nice thread actually. I like/am interested in any well made old industrial equipment. As part of the industry I work in...off on the fringes....garment production and industrial sewing used to be part of the section I worked years ago. I used to go to a trade show that was just for all of that (industrial sewing, seaming, embroidery)....called the Bobbin Show.
It was amazing to see the industrial sewing machines....Singer, Toyota, Bernina, SWF, Fafnir, Tajima.....
New Industrial single head sewing machines still look like 1940....and are bulletproof and can run for eons....and cost $$$$$. Ray |
It is kind of interesting that there's so much overlap between sewing machines and car/motorcycle manufacturers. Toyota, Messerschmitt, and I know Zundapp made sewing machines, and I think both Opel and NSU started out with sewing machines and got into cars and motorcycles later.
I guess precision manufacturing is the same regardless of what you're making. |
Yes...that is exactly right. Back in the early to middle 20th century...heck...even all of it.....precision machine manufacturers contracted to make all sorts of products that fit their skill set. Some did it better than others.
And.....both world wars pushed virtually every large company knto producing things you wo7ld never dream of. The history of the literally millions of types of items made by companies you would never suspect.....is vast. Every few weeks while reading or looking at old items I come across machines or tools....made by companies you would never suspect would make that item.
For instance.....Singer made a huge quantity of firearms...specifically M1 Garand rifles, the Noden Bombsite and 1911 model .45 pistols.
Messerschmidt made everything from optics to cars to planes.
Virtually any machine company on either side of either war made a huge range of items.
Its awesome history. Ray |
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Malokin Martin Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007 Posts: 3099 Location: E-burg
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 7:21 am Post subject: |
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raygreenwood wrote: |
Both world wars pushed virtually every large company knto producing things you wo7ld never dream of. The history of the literally millions of types of items made by companies you would never suspect.....is vast. |
A little off topic, but I always thought this was interesting:
The porcelain department of the Coors Brewing company (which also made bottles) was literally the only thing that kept the company afloat several times in it's history (notably during WWI and prohibition) by making manufacture grade mortar and pestles along with dinnerware.
Their mortar/pestles are still used in labs throughout the US.
Pretty cool |
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OB Bus Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003 Posts: 2541 Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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Our "everyday" sewing machine is a Singer Featherweight in white. The white ones were made 1960-63. Nice simple machine that was purchased new by my wife's now departed Mother. It requires frequent cleaning and oiling but runs great. _________________ Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
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blue72beetle Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2008 Posts: 846 Location: Fort Wayne, IN
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:48 am Post subject: |
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We use quite a few old sewing machines at work, although I wouldn't call them vintage. Mostly Consew, even have a giant heavy duty that will put a needle through your finger bones if you're not paying attention. The balance wheel is like a giant automotive flywheel.
My favorite is the Consew 206RB, I'd like to get one for myself someday. _________________ -Andy-
-1970 Ghia-
-1971 Bus 1776 Microsquirt EFI- |
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babysnakes Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7107
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:54 am Post subject: |
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I have my grandmothers old Singer. It is a fold away desk/table unit. It has not worked in years. My grandmother passed in the 80's. I'm thinking the machine might be from the '50s. I hope to bring it back to life someday and restore the wooden table along with it. |
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anthracitedub Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2007 Posts: 3241 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:15 am Post subject: |
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I'm a huge fan of old well built machines, big and small....didn't know Yoda made a sewing machine.
While, I do sew... I have a late 80s brother... Kinda cheap, but I've made quite a few items with it. Recently made a grey cord headliner for my 57 ghia and wind lace.
I scored a 59 atlas/craftsman lathe that's in super nice shape along with a box of tooling and a 4 jaw chuck. It's a lot of fun running this thing and whittling up various doodads. |
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Dave Samba Elder
Joined: July 11, 2002 Posts: 2693 Location: The Forest Moon of Endor, in the Redwoods
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Until retirement, my wife was a professional seamstress.
She has:
3- Pfaff 130 machines, two in cases and one in the cabinet.
5- Singer Featherweights, anywhere from 1935 to 1967, including the hard-to-find 1951 "Blue Label" and the even rarer 221K "Free Arm" machine, and
2-Singer card tables the machines fit into.
2- Juki Overlock machines, one a 3 thread, one, a 4 thread.
1- US Blind stitch machine that does the hem stitch you can't see from outside the garment.
4 or 5 working Treadle machines, Singer, White Rotary, and New Home.
5- A collection of about 75 Toy Sewing machines, mostly Pre-World War 2 from Germany, Mueller and Casige. They all work, and make what is called a "chain stitch".
I'm sure there are some that I am missing; she stays out of the garage, and I stay out of the sewing room.
<edit> OB Bus, the white Featherweights were produced in England (Scotland, actually).. the definitive book is "The Perfect Portable" by Nancy Johnson-Srebro, it gives you everything you need to know about Featherweights. It's like "Progressive Refinements" for Featherweights. _________________ 2003 Samba Chummie Winner- Best Story
"Those that matter, don't mind,
and those that mind, don't matter" |
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21518 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome thread! For those who look on...and dont appreciate things as mundane as the sewing machine....without it.....you would either be naked....or look really stupid in your bone needle, leather stitched medieval fair outfit
Ray |
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janerick3 Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2006 Posts: 1879 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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I tossed my mother's circa 1950 Free-Westinghouse console in the dumpster about 15 years ago, as all the rubber and cords had rotted away, the blond veneer covering the table and drawers was becoming delaminated and my brother had thrown out the box of attachments a couple of years previous. Up to that point, it was complete, including the manual and tools.
I picked up a postwar Singer portable a few years ago for around $15 that didn't have as many accessories as the Free and had similar rubber rot, but at least parts are available. What's weird about it is that the serial number is for a Model 66 from early 1925, which tells me there were companies that did manual-to-electric conversions to meet demand either during or right after WWII. _________________ Thanks,
Jan K. |
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21518 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:47 am Post subject: |
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janerick3 wrote: |
I tossed my mother's circa 1950 Free-Westinghouse console in the dumpster about 15 years ago, as all the rubber and cords had rotted away, the blond veneer covering the table and drawers was becoming delaminated and my brother had thrown out the box of attachments a couple of years previous. Up to that point, it was complete, including the manual and tools.
I picked up a postwar Singer portable a few years ago for around $15 that didn't have as many accessories as the Free and had similar rubber rot, but at least parts are available. What's weird about it is that the serial number is for a Model 66 from early 1925, which tells me there were companies that did manual-to-electric conversions to meet demand either during or right after WWII. |
Yes....you are correct. Also ....virtually all of the cord parts or at least close enough. ...and probably most rubber parts....can be had for fairly inexpensive.
I would recommend that next time an old sewing machine gets to the point of the one you through away....simply list it kn Craigs list or somehwere for free as a parts machine. ...or give it to a local private sewing machine repair shop for parts. Ray |
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youngnstudly Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2005 Posts: 833 Location: Whine Country (SF Bay area)
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Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 11:52 pm Post subject: |
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It's nice to see others on here are into Vintage sewing machines. I started out buying my first sewing machine (an old 1951 Singer 15-91) in my early 20's, and it worked well for what I was doing at the time, but I always wanted a walking foot machine. So, I sold the Singer years back and found a decent Juki 563 with the table and everything for $650. I couldn't pay for it fast enough!
It's nearly stock with a few obvious exceptions, and I'm hoping to eventually close the open area at the bottom with a homemade floor pan and some carpet. I made the fold down table top while working in the sheet metal shop years ago, but never took the time to fab up the floor section. I like that it's a quiet hobby that doesn't require you to get dirty or become exposed to dangerous chemicals and such (hey, just like doing mechanical work!). Plus you can do it inside (cool in the summer, warm in the winter) while watching TV or listening to the radio, which is nice on rainy days when you're stuck inside.
I still have my mother's Pfaff in case I need to do any other kind of stitching that the Juki won't do (it only does straight stitching).
_________________ The economy is in a state of disaster, we have NO time for common sense! |
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OB Bus Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003 Posts: 2541 Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Dave wrote: |
OB Bus, the white Featherweights were produced in England (Scotland, actually).. the definitive book is "The Perfect Portable" by Nancy Johnson-Srebro, it gives you everything you need to know about Featherweights. It's like "Progressive Refinements" for Featherweights. |
Thanks! I just ordered a copy of the book from Amazon. We really look forward to reading it. _________________ Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
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