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Singer 833...Is it a workhorse?
Christen Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 2006 Posts: 388	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/17/07 6:40 PM I have been looking for a backup machine for a while, and after reading all of the great SM reviews on PR I decided that I wanted to get an older/vintage Singer. I did manage to find a Singer 833 that was only used twice and then plopped into storage until recently. I didn't see any reviews for this particular machine, so I was hoping someone might have some feedback on this particular machine. I'm only paying $60.00 for it, so money wise it's not terribly expensive. Are there any known issues with this model? I don't want my excited feelings about getting a machine to cloud my judgement in making a good decision. Any information would be most helpful. Thank you! ------ Christen http://www.woobadoos.com
Member since	Login to reply to this post In reply to Christen Like this post Date: 1/17/07 8:57 PM I think this is a Singer Stylist model probably from the very late sixties or more likely, the early seventies. It has plastic gears, but as long as they hold out, it should sew ok. Keep in mind that age will deteriorate the gears, not just usage. The Singer plastic gears were not known for long term durability. This would be a model of singer that came along after Singer "glory days". IMHO, I wouldn't pay $60 for it. ETA- these are the models of machines that I buy for $5 and sometimes give away when I am solicited for a freebie machine by someone that I am not ...um.....fond of. -- Edited on 1/17/07 8:58 PM --
Christen Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 2006 Posts: 388	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/17/07 9:40 PM I was actually hoping you would answer, because you seem to be the sewing machine genie on the board! I live in the SF Bay Area, and even though I've seen Rockateer models on Craigslist I always seem to be second in line to purchase so obviously the machine is sold before I get to even look at it. I want a really solid backup machine, and the old Singers seem to have quite a reputation. I found a beautiful Necchi Lydia, and was excited to look at it yesterday only to find out it's missing the foot controller. I wasn't able to find a foot pedal for it online, or I would have purchased it. I think I'll pass on the Singer based on your $5 review ;). I just logged on to Craigslist after writing this reply, and to my joy there was another Necchi Lydia 3 posted for sale. This unit includes the foot controller, and a nifty little desk (which I don't want). Do you know much about these machines? Thank you! -- Edited on 1/17/07 9:58 PM -- ------ Christen http://www.woobadoos.com
Bill Holman WI USA Member since 2004 Posts: 566	Login to reply to this post In reply to Christen Like this post Date: 1/17/07 11:44 PM Your original luck is "still holding." The Lydia was a poorly designed last ditch attempt for Necchi to stay in business, and by now they all have cracked camstacks that are NLA. There are good machines out there. Keep trying. Bill Holman
Christen Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 2006 Posts: 388	Login to reply to this post In reply to Bill Holman Like this post Date: 1/18/07 2:22 AM Thank you very much for your input regarding the Lydia. I know there's something out there for me. I have an old Baby Lock BL-3500 that I haven't used in years, and prior to that I believe I may have used it 10 times in the entire life of the machine (I bought it new in 1990). I think I'll bring it out and see what condition it is in. I've never really loved the machine, but I always chalked it up to not knowing how to sew. I can't stand the vertical bobbin, it was always difficult to work with. I want a good, solid backup machine that will turn multiple layers of leather into butter. ------ Christen http://www.woobadoos.com
Bill Holman WI USA Member since 2004 Posts: 566	Login to reply to this post In reply to Christen Like this post Date: 1/18/07 10:45 AM Quote: Christen "I want a good, solid backup machine that will turn multiple layers of leather into butter." This is kind of like saying, "I want to haul gravel, but I want a comfortable family car to do it in." If you are sewing things this heavy on a regular basis, most household machines will rapidly express their displeasure. If it is "a must," go for a straight stitch only model, and a verticle bobbin will usually handle it better than a horizontal. You should be using a heavier thread, and a horizontal bobbin model has to pull the loop around a corner to return it to the fabric, while a verticle bobbin machine will be pulling the loop straight up. Probably, the most reliable household machine for heavy work like you describe would be an old Singer 15-91, but be sure that it has been rewired by now. Bill Holman
Member since	Login to reply to this post In reply to Bill Holman Like this post Date: 1/18/07 12:25 PM Bill, I know it isn't gear drivern, but if someone wanted a rotary hook in an old ss, cast iron Singer w/ a vertical bobbin, would the 115 be a nice choice? They have such pretty, " Tiffiany,(gingerbread?) decalsl too! What are your thoughts on these?
Bill Holman WI USA Member since 2004 Posts: 566	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/07 1:43 PM Quote: got2bjennyg "if someone wanted a rotary hook in an old ss, cast iron Singer w/ a vertical bobbin, would the 115 be a nice choice?" Not simple for me to answer, because, for the use I made this recommendation, a rotary mechanism would offer no advantage. The 115 is not a rotary as we think of them today. Today's rotaries are "double rotaries" in that the hook rotates twice per stitch. The 115 was similar to the old US built Whites. It was a single or hesitation rotary. On a double rotary, (gear driven hook) the hook picks up the thread and carries it around the BC, and then "idles" for one rotation. On a single/hesitation rotary, the hook is driven by a crank, much the same as on an oscillator, but it slows way down during the time that the crank is at the top and bottom of the stroke, so the speed does not remain constant throughout the stitch cycle. All machines must deal with the thread managing to get thru one to three "gates" as the loop is drawn up. The gate on rotaries is where the position finger keeps the BC from turning with the hook. The more friction there is between the BC/BC base/hook, the tighter the finger presses against the side of the gate, and the more trouble the upper thread has passing thru. If the thread is heavier, the problem is greater. With an oscillating shuttle such as on the 15 class machine, the thread must pass thru two gates at opposite ends of the shuttle/driver, but this is timed so that the pressure is on the opposite gate as the driver reverses it's direction. It then must pass thru the gate that houses the position finger, but the motion of this mechanism causes very little side pressure at this point, and it is usually easy for the thread to pass. So I guess that the best way I could answer your question is to say that the 115 would offer some advantages in this type of application, but it would be because it's action has more similarities to an oscillator than a rotary. They were never made as electrics, so if a person wanted one for this purpose, it would have to be a converted treadle. The reason I singled out the 15-91 over the other available 15 cl machines was not the gear drive. The gear drive is very smooth, but the ratio on them is high enough that it is no more "powerful" than a similar belt driven machine, as long as it was a good and properly adjusted belt. The advantage that the 15-91 (also 88/90/125) offers is the reversed shuttle from the other versions, where the hook and finger on the shuttle are far less apt to receive needle damage. THAT will teach you to ask a simple question! Bill Holman
Member since	Login to reply to this post In reply to Bill Holman Like this post Date: 1/18/07 4:11 PM Bill, I did have to read it a second time, but that was a great answer! just what I was hoping for- Thanks
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 2004 Posts: 7210	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/18/07 5:33 PM Bill knows how to come up with the answers, yup, he does.

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