Got my first vintage home item..........

[jaxsunst]

I've been in the market for a descent sewing machine. Nothing really fancy, just something to do some mending and maybe make a drape or two. My mother surprised me today with her old Singer. She bought it new in (she thinks) 1962. Had it gone over and it is in perfect working order, and has the original case, the huge button hold attachment, and it's original case. It has something I've never seen before. The stitches are based on little black discs. It has the standard one in it. She said there are more, and she is trying to find them.

Growing up, it's the only machine I remember her using. I'm going to cherish it. I'll post pics as soon as I find the damn cable for my camera. It's olive green and all metal.

 

[jaxsunst]

to clarify, that huge button hole attachment is in it's own case.

 

[oldskool]

Happy For You

It's always special to have a vintage item, but when it has family/friend connections, it's that much more significant.  I share your joy as I too have my Grandmother's Montgomery Ward sewing machine.  While I don't really sew more than repairing a tare in various items, it's so special as I can still see her, sitting at that old machine making countless items.  So glad you are the recipient of a fine machine with such special sentimental value.

 

[SQueenJJ]

I think most people call those disks "Cams" and each one will make a different stitch. I have my grandmothers Singer Slant O Matic 500 that she bought in 1963/64. It also makes many different stitches by just adjusting the two knobs on the front of the machine. Mine needs some adjustments as its skipping stitches. It may be just worn out as my Grandmother made all of her clothes. My machine is beige with some dark brown knobs.

 

[westingman123]

Slant O Matic

I don't imagine it's worn out--those machines are work horses.

A good sewing shop will tune her up, and I'd bet she'll be like new.

And yes, those discs are called cams.

 

[tolivac]

Skipping stitches-sounds like the machine needs a tune up-clean out the bobbin area and other parts of the machine-amazing the problems accumilated lint can cause.Then the machine would be lubed with sewing machine oil-all moving part where they move agianst each other-then check the timing-old machine can get out of time causing missed stiches if the cleaning and oiling disn't help-a good sewing machine tech can retime your machine-IE the needle and bobbin must be in time with each other.Older machines can last and last with these basic items done to them.And oh yes--a new needle helps,too!!Sewing needles can wear fast.

 

[SQueenJJ]

I know it would benefit from a good tune up-- I just haven't taken the time to fool with it as I rarely need it. Several years ago the repairman wanted to buy it from me but I wouldn't sell it. I have many memories of my grandmother sitting at that machine sewing. She paid $200 for it in the early 60s which was a lot of money at that time-- especially to her since she was a school teacher.

 

[DADoES]

My mother has 1960-something Slant-o-Matic with an selection of stitch cams.

 

[danemodsandy]

There Is No Pleasure....

Like a prized vintage sewing machine that has been in your family since new, sewing away perfectly years after it was bought.

With midcentury all-metal mechanical machines, all that's usually needed is lubrication and timing; there's very little to go wrong. Later machines can have breakable plastic gears and electronic components that can fail, though these machines have their fans (like me - I love Singer Athenas, though these machines' electronics are very robust; their control boards were actually guaranteed for 25 years, unlike today's lowest-bidder crap).

I think your acquisition of this machine will probably lead to more goodies in the future.

 

[tolivac]

Yes,great thing about mechanical sewing machines-less to go wrong-and if it does easier to fix.Fortnately in most machines that have the plastic gears-those can be replaced.-Then machine is OK.-course while replacing the gear-the tech will need to retime the machine.Seen the circuit boards-very occasionally those can be repaired-but mostly-the board has to be replaced---if it is still available and for what price.Go for those oldie machines-long may they keep sewing-their circuit board equipped newer cousinns die by the roadside.And those older machines were ALL metal-hardly any or no plastic.Women must of been strong in those days-those all metal machines were HEAVY!!Really like those metal oldies!

 

[beekeyknee]

Maybe a 401A Slant-O-Matic? This one was my Grandmother's.The black discs you refer to are called "Top Hat" cams. I believe there were 22 or 23. Can't remember if I have the elusive Curly-Que #17 cam or not. They're at my Moms right now, so I can't look. I think my Grandmother purchased hers in '59 or '60.

I restored it two years ago. It was quite a job. A lot more tedious than a washer or dryer.

Singer 401A Sewing Machine

Here are some pictures of my recently restored Singer 401A. I obtained a service manual and bought some Tri-flow grease and oil from Jenny at Sew-Classics.com and went to work. It took several days and a lot of work, but it was worth it. This thing sews like nobodys business. It will sew through...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[beekeyknee]

Seasonal small appliance switch.

This is my favorite time of year. I get to put away the Vornado heater and humidifier and get out the old GE fan. Just filled up the oil cups and I'm giving it the test run on "high".

Now I have to clean the heater and humidifier for summer storage.

 

[westie2]

That Singer is like the one my grandmother had Brian.  She went from a Treadle to this.  She had a button hole attachment you put a cam in that size of the button and it would make the eight size hole.  I can hear it going clack clack clack. 

 

[athanasius80]

Often they don't even need timing! I've refurbished about 4 machines so far, and I think the worst I've had were a couple stuck needlebars. Really I don't know of any crappy sewing machines from the "all metal" era. If your machine's been sitting for years, you'll be amazed at how well it will respond to a thorough cleaning and lubricating.

Give it some love and use it!