Need Info On This Old Machine

[Heiney]

Can anyone give me any info on this old sewing machine? I know it's a Davis and the motor works. I don't have any numbers yet but I may be able to get them in a few days. A friend of mine is asking $400 for it or he'll throw it in if I buy his truck haha. He said it came out of an old saddle shop and can sew up to 3/8". He said it just needs to be timed. Would this be a good buy for a beginner? I mostly build holsters and other various goods, nothing too thick. Also how much would it cost to have it "tuned up", or is that something a mechanically inclined person could do on his own? If not how about a place to take it around the eastern Phoenix AZ area? Thank you to all!

[Constabulary]

VERY old - I guess form the late 1800 or early 1900. I don´t know the machine but it looks as if it is a vibrating shuttle machine which is an obsolete system (obsolete for decades). I´d only buy if you are a sewing machine collector. You may have trouble finding needles (depends on the needle system) bobbins, shuttles and other spare parts but main reason is that it is way to expensive and you can get much better machines with much better performance for $400. A used machines with walking foot / triple feed is what you should look for.

This is just my evaluation from viewing the picture (same picture posted twice). Maybe you can post some more from the underside, front side and so on.

[Heiney]

Thanks for the info. He said it still workes and sews. My main reason for interest was because the price. I haven't seen anything for under $2,000. That's way out of my price range. If you have any cheaper suggestions that would be awesome.

[Heiney]

Ok I got some more pictures and what looks to be a serial number. The number is 3800265. He dropped the price to $350. Will this be an economical machine for holsters and various small projects?

I can't upload the pictures from my phone so I'll put them up when I get home.

[Heiney]

Here are the pictures. Any info will help he is in a hurry to sell it and if I don't jump on it he'll get rid of it. Also I noticed everything but the machine itself is singer... Thank you

[DavidL]

Don't know too much about sewing machines but this looks like a singer 45k alternative, which is a good machine that is price 450-1k in working condition (the singer).

[Heiney]

So will I be able to find parts and everything I need? As stated by constabulary parts for an old machine could be hard to come by? I don't have the money for a $1500 machine right now, which is the cheapest I've seen used in my area. I'm not running a business yet so this with just be a hobby starter machine.

[Wizcrafts]

The Davis VF2 went out of production around 1924. Yours may be older than that. It probably uses the same system 15x1 needles most home machines use today. But, the shuttle is another story. Hopefully, the seller has bobbins and other spare parts, cause you probably aren't going to find very many online.

he VF2 has a dual feed walking foot, but no bottom feed at all. The bullet shaped shuttle oscillates in an arc under the machine. If the point is damaged, it won't pick up the needle thread.

From what I've read, most of these sell at auctions or antique shops and sell in the range of $100 to $200, depending on their physical condition. It is possible that a perfectly functional and clean Davis VF2 could fetch $300, but it would have to be in very good condition.

[Constabulary]

As I said, I don´t know the Davis machines but it does not look as heavy as a Singer 45K. They are not comparable I think. The Davis seems to have a walking foot BUT no feed dog this means the materials is feed by just a small foot. This will work for garment or thin leather but I doubt it will work for heavy leather. I also don´t know what needle sizes are available for this machine. If you don´t find needles in a proper size it makes no sense. I don´t know if Davis made heavy machines at all

I still would not buy it for $350 and would not even pay $100. But thats just my opinion.

[Heiney]

Thank you so much for the info! In reading your advice I think I'll pass on this machine. It was very tempting as he said the guy he got it from used it in his saddle shop sewing seats and various other thinner parts. Plus it's the cheapest I've seen for an actual leather machine.

[Wizcrafts]

If it sews and has needles and bobbins, it is worth something. It won't sew holsters, but will probably do wallets and thin pouches and cases. It looks like an interesting project for somebody willing to restore it.

The size of the needles determines how thick the thread can be. See what size needle and thread it is setup with. Maybe the previous owner modified it to sew thicker and heavier than Davis intended.

[Constabulary]

Is it really so difficult to find used / vintage heavy leather machines for a reasonable price in the US? I come across about a hand full flat beds every month. cylinder beds are harder to find here. I should probably start to export some to the US and Australia. Seems there is a market

[cdthayer]

That is not a “normal” Davis Vertical Feed machine. I have now or have had copies of most of the versions of the Davis VF, and they all look different than this one. The round inspection plate on the back of the pillar makes me think it’s a later model, but it’s the first one that I’ve seen with the knee-lift lever on it. The presser bar lift design is different than on the normal NVF (New Vertical Feed - later version machine) to accommodate it. I can’t even find a photo of one like this.

The NVF takes a 15x1 needle (the earlier models took a “Davis Long” needle that are hard to find now and an MTx90 is a substitute), but I don’t know if this machine would also take a 15x1. Being a different machine, it may take an industrial needle. The long shuttle will still limit thread size, but then, the shuttle and bobbin on this one may be different, allowing a slightly larger thread than an NVF.

The Singer stand is interesting as well, and makes me think it may be an early “Artisan” semi-industrial electric power stand. I can’t see enough of it.

It’s probably not what a leather man would want, but it’s an interesting unit, and Davis VF Fans might be interested at his price. Here’s a photo of a Davis NVF for comparison.

CD in Oklahoma

[Darren Brosowski]

Way too much and 3/8" of leather of complete and utter BS.

Davis made some great machines but this is a $50 display piece.

[Heiney]

Thank you guys for the info! This guy has been know for thinking his touch turns everything to gold and "telling a story" to et something sold. That's why I asked the experts. I'll be taking a pass I this machine.

[leecopp]

I know this is a very old post .. but.. 

The machine is a Davis "A'" Manufacturing   ... the industrial version of the Davis Vertical Feed Domestic Machine. I have some more pictures and links to the manual at my site ..   https://sites.google.com/site/oldironmachines/home/davis-manufacturing-a  

Having Fun in Florida 

 

Lee

 

[DrmCa]

This machine was likely used to sew saddle blankets, not leather. It would take 3/8" of padding, not leather.