rootboy 

Wow. Is that the cool pale green one from the 50's? Awfully tempting.

rootboy 

A real workhorse right there 65'er. I love mine, with the potted motor. And it was a pleasure to overhaul such a fine, well-made machine.
I'd love to find one of those all metal foot controllers for mine if should happen to run across a spare.
The new plastic ones just don't cut it.

Sixty Fiver

The metal pedal replaced the old style Bakelite with the button controller... they have a nice feel.

The pedal and .8 amp motor came off the machine that now lives in the treadle (a 1952), the 201 is a 1948 machine.

Newer electronic pedals are also very nice, they offer some pretty excellent control and a nice feel.

slowtostart

Yes, it's "pale green". Is that "cool"? The top of the case is in very good condition. The base is a bit wonky.

slowtostart

The foot control is metal in that same "cool pale green".

slowtostart

Thanks for the information! I've never seen a 201 illuminated from the rear of the head and missing the white "dot" toggle light switch at the lower right front of the machine. I'm sure there were many iterations of the "201". Which 201-? model is this?

All of mine, since 1941, left the factory with pot motors, light on the front of the machine, and that telltale white toggle light switch at the lower right where the power cord connects to the machine.

Might this be a regional variation?

STS

Sixty Fiver

This is a 201-3 which came with a belt driven motor and was also treadle-able... the version with the potted motor and white power switch is a 201-2.

The 201k is the hand crank model with a spoked handwheel.

slowtostart

Would a 201-3 fit in a standard treadle base? I'm thinking it could be very pleasant to sew outside.

Sixty Fiver

Yep... it is one of the plusses of the machine in that it can be treadled.

For sewing outside a 201k can be fitted with a hand crank or may come equipped with one.

nashvillebill

Some nice machines in this thread! I started collecting sewing machines quite by accident, my late wife developed an interest in them and suddenly I had about a dozen of them. Since her passing, I've gotten rid of most of them, but still have my Singer 66, 503 and 403 machines. Had four or five of the 600 series, as well as a 15, don't remember the others.

A few people try to sell these old machines for big bucks on Craigslist, but in reality it's hard to get much money for most of them. Singer made a bazillion of them, and they were made well so they last forever, meaning there's a ton of them available--just visit any thrift store and there's likely an old Singer sitting in the corner for $30 or so. A simple cleaning (especially the thread tension dial which is always gummed up) and they are easily brought back to life to sew for another 50 years.

Bicyclz

Wow! This is the most interesting non-bicycle thread on this forum: )
So many similarities with a bike interest, surely?

My particular interest is the pre-plastic era, (Pre 1963ish) when steel was really the best.
I restrict myself to Singers, particularly the 400 Slant series, but there are many other makers....
I got a couple of 401s, a 404 straight stitch & a 411 just now.
This is the 404.

A simple straight stitch machine that must be the most reliable of its type. Capable of heavy duty use, with nothing much to go wrong!!

That's enough for me, but I am watching a classy 201 currently.
Too many bikes, & soon too many sewing machines.
Probably; )

Bicyclz

The Featherweights are very cool, but quite expensive now!
Next is the 401/404/411 Slant o'matic series I predict/believe: )

Sixty Fiver

That is a 404G, made in Germany... just sold one to a friend in Washington state.

One of my favourite machines is my 403A, it has no built in stitches but has enough cams to do anything you want and without the built in stitches it is less fussy.

Sixty Fiver

One of my favourite machines is this early 50's Husqvarna 21 Automatic, built when they started to move away from copying other companies and became very innovative.

It is fast, smooth, powerful and has a really nice free arm, it also has a set of cams that allows for 20 patterned stitches.

In really nice condition these tend to sell for a lot more than your average vintage machine.

Bicyclz

Singer machines are a bit like Raleighs I reckon.
Lots of insignificant models, but certain ones shine.

It's all about choosing.
As with bikes: )

slowtostart

My 185 J is still seeking a home. I'm near the intersection of RT 81 and the PA Turnpike. Please PM me if interested.

Sixty Fiver, I'd love to find a vintage free arm machine! Time to look for one of those.

Bicyclz

Just got two very nice 99Ks. (In UK obviously...) The K relates to Kilbowie, Scotland.
They were in production from 1911 to 1962ish here, so quite common. (Every household had a sewing machine back in the day.)
But quite rare now in pristine condition.

These two are 1946 & 1918 & in pretty nice condition. Minimal usage chips & decals 99%. Working as they should now!

The cases need a little tidying/polishing, but very cool I think: )

Both have working locks & keys.

Sixty Fiver

The 99 is one of my favourite machines, hand crank models are harder to find on this side of the pond but conversion kits are available and electric models can be retrofitted... my 1948 Singer 99 is now a hand crank.

It is such a smooth running machine and lays down a very nice stitch.

engineerbob

When my wife, Claudia, graduated from college in '81, her mom bought her a new Bernina 801, a machine that Claudia treasured for almost thirty years. Then, she loaned it to her sister, who somehow managed to lose it. Yes, that sounds like BS to me, too.

I would like to buy another 801 for Claudia in as close to perfect condition as possible. If you have one or can send me a lead, please PM me.

Thanks.

Bob

Sixty Fiver

Picked this early 1950's Husqvarna Rotary up yesterday morning, the damage to the hook assembly probably means this machine was not used for a very long time but I had a spare from a machine I picked up some weeks ago.

These Swedish machines are so well made, they can easily match and even rival the Singers of the day for speed and stitch quality and tend to have much more powerful motors. This machine has a motor under the bed but can also take a rear mounted motor in the event you wanted to run one with even more power.

due ruote 

Are these Italian Necchi machines any good?

Vintage Italian Necchi Esperia Sewing machine & table

Italian Sewing Machine

obrentharris 

I had a Necchi for many years that appeared to be of similar vintage: I repaired a lot of backpacks, tents, and clothing with it and never had a problem.
But I have almost zero expertise in sewing machines, so can't tell you if my experience was exceptional or the norm.
Brent

unworthy1

My Mom swears by her Necchi Super Nova Ultra (and who can top that model name?)
I can attest to it being a workhorse for DECADES!

I just saw an East German machine at the local Goodwill, I presume it's 110V but the ONE thing it's missing is the power cord/rheostat so no way to test it...looks built like an Eastern Block brickhouse!
Anybody want me to act as purchasing agent? Be the first on your block to own one! I'm sure the price will be good (good for SF, that is!)

rootboy 

If I was close to that greenish-gray Necchi...I'd go get it.

due ruote 

It does look cool, but I have an old White that works OK for the minimal sewing that gets done around here. Also I would have to find a place to put it and there are too many bikes in the way.