I came across a picture of the Singer Nostalgic 30 hand crank straight stich sewing machine which is a "reproduction" of the early hand crank machine currently being sold by select Singer dealers. This is probably manufactured and meant to be sold to third world markets. I was wondering if anybody has seen one in person and what their opinion is. I know it does not have all the charm and value of a restored original but what is the usefullness of the machine for mechanical purposes exclusive of nostalgia value? Would it use currently available needles and parts or would there be a supply problem just like the original ones? Any first hand information would be appreciated. Thanks.
uttered>I came across a picture of the Singer Nostalgic 30 hand crank straight>stich sewing machine which is a "reproduction" of the early hand crank>machine currently being sold by select Singer dealers. This is probably>manufactured and meant to be sold to third world markets. I was>wondering if anybody has seen one in person and what their opinion is.>I know it does not have all the charm and value of a restored original>but what is the usefullness of the machine for mechanical purposes>exclusive of nostalgia value? Would it use currently available needles>and parts or would there be a supply problem just like the original>ones? Any first hand information would be appreciated. Thanks.>>John
Well, from what little I can see from the photo available, it looks like a knock-off of the old Singer 99. Either that or it's a 127/ 128. At $350 I should hope it *does* include shipping.
Either way, you should be able to get an original (antique!) in perfectly good working order for a fraction of that. Heck, I could probably ship one out to North America from the UK for that. The old ones use bog-standard needles etc., and in the unlikely event that you can't get a specific spare part, you buy another machine with a ratty external finish and cannibalise it. Still for a fraction what those people are asking.
I know a number of people who love having an old handcrank for patchwork piecing - quiet, accurate, use it in front of the TV etc - and no electric so you can even take it camping. I use my old treadles for big stuff like curtains (plus tent repairs and stuff like that).
They are not as smooth or as well cast as originals, and a lot more expensive! Good 66, 99, 15's and 15 clones made in the 50's, are still quite common and can be picked up for next to nothing with a little hunting about. Here in the UK they go for £10-30 on ebay if you aren't fussed about perfect decals.
Needles are not a problem if you look out for a 66 or 99 or similar, as they use the standard flat sided needles of todays hi-tec machines... Or rather, the modern hi-tec whizzy thing use the same ole needles available since the 1920's! :)
We have seen reproduction Singer 15s with garish decals, and available with a treadle base made of brittle iron and pressed wood. Pass on both, and seek out an old machine and, if you want one, an old treadle.
The machine may work all right - or not. But you can find an old Singer for a great deal less money and it will be made of good iron and finely machined so that it works smoothly.
Almost any old Singer machine that you find will take a standard needle, and both style 15 and style 66 bobbins are readily available.
People who have ordered the reproductions report high breakage in shipping due to the poor quality of the iron being used.
Thanks for the input. I know that the older machines are available and thought they might be more trouble for a user machine to be used in an off the grid remote vacation cabin. I guess I should start looking for a good condition older machine based on the responses. Thanks.
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.