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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

A White and a Morse (and a Necchi, not mine)

I imagine there will come a time when I will say ENOUGH !  Until then I will keep cruising Craig's List.  I don't troll eBay the way I used to.  I do lurk on ShopGoodWill.com.  I don't like to buy machines that require shipping.  I ship machines.  I know what can happen.

There is also the psychology of shipping costs.  If I find a machine I want and the shipping costs are 30 or 40 dollars, I am deterred.  WHICH MAKES NO SENSE.  Today's Century Ride cost two hours and 2.5 gallons of fuel.  Diesel is $4.15 a gallon.  Actual cost is around 10 bucks.  OK  Now I feel better.  It would have cost much more than that to ship two machines over that distance.  So, I am not as nuts as my mother believes.

See what I got?

Both are lovely Japanese made class 15 machines.  The White has no power cord or foot controller.  I have extras.  The plug to the light has been severed.  I have plenty of plugs and will put  a new one on in a matter of minutes.  I couldn't resist giving it a quick bath.  The moldy dust washed away easily.  I think it is gorgeous. 

The Fotomatic will require some attention.  It is a more complex machine.  I have oiled it some already.  Its camstack appears to be metal.  There is some surface rust evident but I can clean it off with kero.  I must, however, first finish Buddy Folly.  He is scheduled for surgery on Saturday.  The donor hook and bobbin case are ready for transplant.  

What is the Necchi link?  A friend of mine went after a Necchi out her way.  She lives about 500 miles from here.  A few weeks ago the seller contacted me and asked if I was interested in it.  I was, but hey, there is a limit.  I contacted my dear friend, since she lives pretty close to him.  She already knew about the machine and today, she rescued it. 

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8 comments:

  1. DreinPAMay 15, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    But what will we DO with them?!?
    Your new babies are beautiful.
    How did you wash the White? Has it been polished in any way?
    When the Morse is rejuvenated I believe it has relatives in Pittsburgh...

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    Replies
    1. ElizabethMay 16, 2013 at 6:44 AM

      I plan to sew on them.
      I sprayed Tuff Stuff on the White. She just shined up real pretty all on her own.
      Yes, I know about that "relation." This one looks different inside. Stay tuned.

      Delete
  2. PegMay 16, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    Love, love, love those Japanese Clones. Your new White is a beauty. So classy - look at that face plate!!!! And they are the best for free motion sewing and have a very long straight stitch.

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    1. ElizabethMay 17, 2013 at 6:57 AM

      Good to know. This one is going on the GMQ frame.

      Delete
  3. =TamarMay 17, 2013 at 1:21 AM

    A White that is a 15-clone... does the handwheel turn in a White direction or a Singer direction? Either way it's likely to be confusing!

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    1. ElizabethMay 17, 2013 at 6:57 AM

      The White turns in counter clockwise direction, as any self respecting Japanese Class 15 Clone.

      Delete
    2. PegMay 17, 2013 at 8:17 AM

      After the patent on the Singer 15 ran out, Japanese clones of the Singer 15 were made by just about every sewing machine distributer (Sears, Morse, Adler, Pfaff, White, Dressmaker, Domestic, Aldens, Nelco...) and branded by department stores (ie Macy's) and came with other catchy (noble) names for those distributors who didn't want to pay for their own badge (LaSalle, Soverign, Royal, Viscount...) The first 15 clones had the same body as Singer 15's (Like Elizabeth's White) but later many distributors used a more modern deco body style. Most of them will say "Precision Deluxe" somewhere on them. They were not only made in Japan, but many other places - I've seen them from Australia, China, India, USSR, Taiwan... They all are straight stitch machines, class 15 bobbin, and the giveaway is the tension mechanism on the rear of the faceplate.

      You can get a real beauty like Liz'z for $20-$50 (needing a little shining and tune up) and some reconditioned, tuned, with good case, with all standard attachments can go for as much as $200 on ebay. Many of these machines bought in the 50' and 60's have been sitting in pristine condition in grammy's attic and need only a little oiling and dusting and you're good to go. Although they're twice as heavy as a Featherweight, they are many times more than twice as powerful and make great additions to quilting parties because of their free motion capabilities.

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2018 at 5:43 PM

    I call them heavy metal sewing machines.
    If it is not over 25#, it a light weight.

    The Morse 4300 are really heavy at 36#.

    My "Precision" "GoodHouseKeeper" labeled one is a model 1305 in TAN and is like the Black colored White machine shown above. It is easy to use for simple jobs. They can be converted to higher amp motors with kits on eBay for more punch power.
    The kit was 1.5 amps as I recall.
    The motors ranged originally from 0.9A to 1.1A (my Precision motor is 1.1A).

    They run smooth.
    rotating
    They are still around and in need of real refined Singer oil with detergents or additives. A little TLC by hand for a day or two and they take off.

    Stef

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