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Chandsew 406RB

Chandsew 406RB

Size Matters

Size Matters

Singer 153W103 Industrial

Singer 153W103 Industrial

Singer 316G

Singer 316G

Singer 301

Singer 301
A design revolution for Singer, this light-weight portable is a favorite with quilters. This example dates from 1951, but, interestingly, isn't badged as an anniversary model.

Singer 221- Featherweight

Singer 221- Featherweight
In remarkable condition. This one dates from 1956.

Singer 500A

Singer 500A
Reassembled and polished.

Singer 401A

Singer 401A

Singer 503A

Singer 503A
I've had a number of examples from the 400 and 500 series pass through my hands now, and as testament to their quality, they have all been in very nice condition; none, however, has matched this beauty for its near pristine state of preservation. While even on the cleanest example one must forgive a minor imperfection or two, this classic from Singer exhibits none! Truly as nice as one could hope.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Few New Machines – Singer Centric

I hadn't gone a day or two after the last machine left the bench, when I began to feel the need to get another. I took a little trip beyond the Greater San Francisco Bay Area – richer hunting ground. That day, anyway.

My newest finds are members a that class of Singers that I've come to like most: A 404, a 401A and a 503A, each with its own attributes and personality.

I tackled the 404 first and must say, this is a truly beautiful machine. It's had little use, and its condition is about as nice as I've seen. It's a simple machine, so, easy to reduce it to that point where I'll then begin building it back up to about as nice as it's likely to ever be again. It came with a nice case too. I hadn't seen one of these before and was surprised that the machine served as the bottom of the case. Very nicely designed. This keeps the machine light enough for it to be considered truly portable. In fact, this machine would have been the worthy successor  to the 301A – itself heir apparent to the remarkable 221, the Featherweight.

Then a 401A. My favorite. All the bells and whistles in a no-nonsense, but still very attractive machine. This one, after giving it the treatment I give all my machines, looks great and should sew beautifully after an adjustment or two.

Finally a Vigorelli. Italian made. Very industrial looking. And green.

Pictured above you'll find a 503A stripped to the point where I begin its "treatment": hours of cleaning, some few minutes of oiling, and a final hand-rubbed polish.

1 comment:

  1. Hi

    I am a sewing machine enthusiast and while I have seen Singer 206, 306, 319 and 320 machines I have never sen a 316 in the flesh.

    I have a couple of questions about these machines and was hoping that as you have a 316 in your collection you could answer them.

    Do they use an oscillating or rotary hook?

    Is the motor mount boss cast into the machine directly below the centre of the balance wheel or slightly offset? In the 206, 306, 319 1nd 320 it is slightly offset meaning that a standard Singer handcrank can not be mounted onto any of these machines as the centre of rotation of the hand crank does not align with the centre of rotation of the balance wheel.

    I would be most grateful if you could satisfy my curiosity.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete