Sponsors
Sponsors
2 old Singer Machines (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 4/18/10 7:34 PM ET
I discovered 2 vintage Singer sewing machines. One is model AJ474898 and the other is a Model 477. Both are in working order with many accessories. I'm considering buying them with the intention of keeping one as a second machine while I use my embroidery machine. Any opinions or advice?
Posted on: 4/18/10 7:55 PM ET
lesew it sounds like you're looking at 2 very different machines - the 477 (a Stylist?) was a budget machine; I honestly don't know a lot about them, but I sort of rank it with my Touch & Sew, which drove me away from sewing w/ all of its issues & problems. Please, if anyone has a better opinion of the Stylist, chime in (I know there are those out there who love their Touch & Sews!) ;)
The AJ is a model 15 (the numbers you wrote are the serial #) Is it gear-driven or belt driven? (or treadle or hand crank) If it is gear-driven (the 15-91) I think this is a very nice vintage machine - you can find lots of detailed info on it. It's a straight stitch only machine, although it sounds like yours would come with a lot of the attachments that allow for other stitches.
Exactly what do you want your machine to do?
------
The AJ is a model 15 (the numbers you wrote are the serial #) Is it gear-driven or belt driven? (or treadle or hand crank) If it is gear-driven (the 15-91) I think this is a very nice vintage machine - you can find lots of detailed info on it. It's a straight stitch only machine, although it sounds like yours would come with a lot of the attachments that allow for other stitches.
Exactly what do you want your machine to do?
------
http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
Posted on: 4/18/10 8:24 PM ET
Thanks for the info. Both machines are electric with foot pedals. I would like a solid machine for sewing while my embroidery machine is working. Since the AJ has a ruffler and other attachments, that would be a plus. Also, I love the look of it! I can get both machines for $40-$50. I thought that seemed like a great buy. Although, I will only have room to keep one. So, that would probably be the AJ one.
Posted on: 4/18/10 10:00 PM ET
In reply to lesew
lesew - just to clarify - when I wrote "AJ" I was shortening the serial number - AJ4....... If you said you were looking at a Singer AJ you would get some funny looks
If it is electric, it's a model 15-91. BTW, I just bought one yesterday!
------
If it is electric, it's a model 15-91. BTW, I just bought one yesterday!------
http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
Posted on: 4/18/10 10:19 PM ET
Thanks again. Do you think $50 for both machines is a good price?
Posted on: 4/18/10 10:27 PM ET
oops - another clarification. Actually it's a flat out mistake from me; I wasn't paying attention. A belt-driven 15 is also electric, but it's not as reliable or powerful a machine as the gear driven 15-91.
I have no clue about the price on the Stylist - not worth much I would think (but that's just my opinion, so take it w/ a grain of clueless salt, please!) A working 15-91, w/ lots of attachments could certainly be a nice buy at $50 (depending on the condition). I paid $130 for the one I just bought, in my dream cabinet, lots of attachments, notions, etc. And I thought it was a good price, especially since the machine had recently had an $80 tune-up :). The fact that it was running so well (and was in a very nice cabinet) made the price worth it to me.
Have you seen the machines & sewed with them?
------
I have no clue about the price on the Stylist - not worth much I would think (but that's just my opinion, so take it w/ a grain of clueless salt, please!) A working 15-91, w/ lots of attachments could certainly be a nice buy at $50 (depending on the condition). I paid $130 for the one I just bought, in my dream cabinet, lots of attachments, notions, etc. And I thought it was a good price, especially since the machine had recently had an $80 tune-up :). The fact that it was running so well (and was in a very nice cabinet) made the price worth it to me.
Have you seen the machines & sewed with them?
------
http://jillybejoyful.blogspot.com/
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
a blog about creativity, sewing, vintage sewing machines, and...... life :)
Posted on: 4/18/10 10:43 PM ET
I saw them briefly. I asked that the AJ... one be plugged in and I pressed the foot pedal. It was not threaded so I couldn't see the stitches. It did have the bobbin case and a bobbin but I didn't know how to thread it. It sounded like a smooth running machine. The man selling them had to go to work so I told him I was interested and that I'd be in touch with him. He bought a house and the machines were left there by previous owners. Hopefully, I'll be able to get in touch with him tomorrow. He said he'd wait to hear from me. Thanks very much for your help.
Posted on: 4/18/10 11:13 PM ET
In reply to JillyBe
Quote: JillyBe
A belt-driven 15 is also electric, but it's not as reliable or powerful a machine as the gear driven 15-91.
A belt-driven 15 is also electric, but it's not as reliable or powerful a machine as the gear driven 15-91.
That is opinion, not fact.
Jennifer Hill
--
'Winds of inspiration. . .'
Quilt Canada 2010
Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, AB
April 26 - May 1 2010
http://www.canadianquilter.com/events/quilt-canada-2010.php
Posted on: 5/14/10 10:11 PM ET
A direct gear driven machine means there is no belt to slip and/or replace. That alone makes the machine more reliable. It is also a fact that a direct gear driven machine (of any kind) is more powerful than a belt driven machine. It is a matter of simple mechanics, not opinion.
------
------
RunningStitches-mkb.blogspot.com
Posted on: 5/14/10 11:07 PM ET
In reply to lisalu
Quote: lisalu
A direct gear driven machine means there is no belt to slip and/or replace. That alone makes the machine more reliable. It is also a fact that a direct gear driven machine (of any kind) is more powerful than a belt driven machine. It is a matter of simple mechanics, not opinion.
A direct gear driven machine means there is no belt to slip and/or replace. That alone makes the machine more reliable. It is also a fact that a direct gear driven machine (of any kind) is more powerful than a belt driven machine. It is a matter of simple mechanics, not opinion.
I'll try not to be too argumentative, but the inherent power losses in a belt-driven machine are not all that significant. My belt-driven machines with 1.1A motors are certainly stronger than the .6A (or .7A, can't remember) units on my gear-driven 15-91 and 201-2. My 15-91 has plenty of piercing power for most of what I do, but the gear drive doesn't add power.
Certainly, the belt is a wear item that needs more frequent attention than the gear mechanism on a gear-driven machine, although the newer cogged belts are sharing technology from the kinds of belts one finds under the hood of a car (I give those attention perhaps every 50,000 miles, spent in extreme conditions). The belts on most sewing machines are easy to change (particularly the vintage ones), and there's not much to break with a couple of pulleys and a belt.
I like my gear-driven Singers quite a bit, but, really, the gear-drive is just part of the picture. Its primary advantage of low maintenance shouldn't be overstated.
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns



![Cashmerette Canton Moto Jacket Digital Pattern [12-32]](https://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/cashmerette/canton/canton_t.jpg)

