Do any of you (in the US) have a Featherweight with the European
(220v) motor? How well do the converters work?
I am coveting a 221, and have noticed that the ones with the 220v
motors sell for a lot less here on this side of the pond.
TinaR,
I have a 222k with the 220v motor, the converters work great. They
are inexpensive too. My cousin bought one also and is going to
replace the 220v motor with a 110v. That costs about 3x than the
converter.
This is the one I bought
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can get the 300v but it is not advised to go to the smaller onebecause it will make your motor run a little hotter.
Just my experience, hope it helps,
Marsha in nw, OH
you can get the 300v but it is not advised to go to the smaller one> because it will make your motor run a little hotter.>
Thanks, Marsha!
I don't know why I'm having machine envy. I have a Bernina 153QE,
which is great, but it really is not as smooth as I would like. I have
been mulling a 221, and also the Juki long-bed model for machine
quilting.
I've thought about selling the Bernina, and using a 221 for piecing
and the Juki for quilting, but that leaves me with two straight-stitch
machines, so that in the event I actually do need to blind-stitch or
zigzag, I am out of luck.
> you can get the 300v but it is not advised to go to the smaller one> > because it will make your motor run a little hotter.>
I don't understand why you can't have more than 2 machine! The
Featherweights are wonderful for piecing, they have a beautiful
straight stitch and run so sweetly. I love your Juki Idea and I
really think you need the 153 for all of its' decorative stitches. I
won't tell you have many sewing machine I have. Yes, I have my few
favorites but I love sewing on all of them.
Hope you get your 221 and the converter. I think you will love it!
Keep me posted,
Marsha in nw, OH
> > you can get the 300v but it is not advised to go to the smaller one> > > because it will make your motor run a little hotter.>
I like your thinking, Marsha. ;-)
You remind me of my favorite quilting (and really, non-quilting)
buddy, who never thinks there is such a thing as having to choose
between two wonderful things. Life is too short, she says. She's the
one who was in the passenger seat the day I marched right in an bought
the Bernina 153.
I don't use a european motor here in the US. There are so many
221's around I can't imagine why you just don't keep looking for
one of those. If you are referring to Ebay prices those traditionally
come down after mothers day and into the summer they tend to hit
bottom price wise. 222's I would imagine putting up with a
convertor but not a 221.
If price is a consideration look into 301's. Although I have a couple
221's still here ( I have sold a mess over the years) I prefer to piece
on a 301. I like taking them to classes too. Out of a case they are
easy to carry using their handle and they are stronger than a FW too.
You could probably get a 301 card table and a whole machine set up
for less than a FW that needs a convertor.
Good luck with whatever you end up with though.
Taria
> > > you can get the 300v but it is not advised to go to the smaller one> > > > because it will make your motor run a little hotter.>
Life IS too short. There are a lot of good machines out there that
are reasonably priced if that is an issue. I find each machine has
its' own special talent and you should sew on several different brands
and models to find the one that "talks" to you. Once you find it,
hang on to it. If you sell it you will miss it. LOL
I love the "new" featherweight I have. It sews like a dream and is
just too fun to look at. The converter is less than $30 with
shipping. That is almost the same as the Tax that I paid on my
featherweight! Odd, don't you think?
Peace,
Marsha in nw, OH
Taria is right, the Singer 301 is great alternative to the 221. It
has the same bobbin case as the featherweight. It is a slant needle.
Gear driven. I have 2, one black and one two tone. They both free
motion "to dye for". ;-) Yes, you can even drop the feed dogs on the
301, if you must.
JMHO,
Marsha in nw, OH
I've been happily using a 220V sewing machine with a voltage
converter. You do have to check to make sure you get one powerful
enough, not all labels have the wattage on, but power is voltage times
current, so if it's a 220V machine and it tells you use a 13amp fuse,
multiply 220*13 and you've got a max wattage, but I think sewing
machines are much lower current than that. When we were buying a
transformer there wasn't a mega choice of wattage, but a big jump in
price to get a bigger one when you don't need it! Ours is 500W, the
next available was 2000W and it was a lot more, I'd be surprised if
any sewing machine needed that much power.
Cheers
Anne
So that's where all the 220v Featherweights have disappeared to! I keep
going to flea markets and such, hoping to stumble over such a treasure.
BTW, my 110v works just fine with a converter. It's just not a very pretty
object and seems to get in my way, down on the floor with the pedal next to
it.
Roberta in D
"TinaR" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
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But, but... it's so pretty, and we're the same age!
Roberta in D
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Well, I don't have one, yet!
I want to get one which is already serviced and ready to go, because
the closest Singer guy is about 200 miles away, and there is no such
thing as flea markets, etc around here where one might turn up - this
is a rural area, where no one lived until about 25 years ago! If I
were still in Atlanta, I'd be scouring the shops, etc for one, but now
I have to pretty much get everything on the 'net.
I mean, I see some wack-a-doo prices out there, so anything under $300
looks like a bargain to me.
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Be patient Tina, it took me almost 9 months to find a gorgeous 222k
for $350. Sure I could have bought one and paid a lot for a really
nice one like this one but I am so happy I waited. I was shopping
with a couple of girlfriends and found it in the most unexpected
shop. They were laughing their heads off when I grabbed it and
started running for the checkout counter. It was hard waiting for the
converter but we are strong when we must be. :-)
You will be able to find one for under $300.00. They are out there.
Even serviced ones.
Good luck!
Peace,
Marsha in nw, OH
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Wow, a 222k for $350! I want to shop with you!
I am watching several on eBay, to get a feel for how the pricing is
going.
I am also coveting a new Janome 1600, though, so we'll see which
coveting gets satisfied first....
I walked off from the featherweights first because I thought $350 for
a featherweight was too high then when I glanced back and saw that
oval needle plate I thought I was going to scream. But that would
give it away that it was a really good deal.
Oh, that IS a hard choice. But why choose??? Get both!! Take your
time.
Peace,
Marsha in nw, OH
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