RavenAus Report post Posted October 12, 2014 This is the blurb from the ad - AWESOME DESIGNER/DECORATOR INDUSTRIAL PIECE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY. "ALL SAINTS" THE LONDON BASED FASHION CHAIN HAVE ALL SORTS OF SEWING MACHINES ACROSS THEIR FRONT WINDOWS & THROUGH OUT THEIR STORES IN THE UK & THE USA. . THESE ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE, SIZE WISE, THAT MR.ISAAC SINGER EVER MADE. YES IT WAS REPUTED TO BE IN WORKING CONDITION UP UNTIL 5YRS AGO, WHEN IT WAS RETIRED, & PUT INTO STORAGE. They want AU$600 for it... What do you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cascabel Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Looks to me to be in complete enough condition to be worth giving it a try. Bring a couple of needles and some thread with you, along with a piece of leather, and get familiar with the threading procedure. It may be an undiscovered treasure !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) This seems to be one of the earlier types w/o quick release for the hand wheel for winding bobbins w/o sewing and w/o the large hand wheel retaining screw. I´d check what subclass it is. If it is a K1 it could be older than a century. From what I see it seems to have a flat "blade" spring on the back side and not the small helical spring in the head so this narrows it a bit. As far as I remember the helical spring started with the 29K51 so everything with a lower subclass has a blade spring on the back - I hope that I'm right with that but thats what I have observed but I´m not 100% certain. The overall condition looks not too bad. But I´d be careful with machines that have worn off the paint in the gearbox era and with machines with worn off decals.. That shows that they have seen a lot of use and so the stitch length could be much shorter. But as it is in Australia the decals may wear off faster because of the climatic conditions. But I don´t know if this is the case. Old machines often do not have the full 5SPI stitch length so when the machine is producing 6SPI it is okay but If it is more (like 7 or 8 when adjusted to 5 SPI) I would not buy it as the parts are worn and finding parts for the older 29K could be an issue. But on the other hand you have Singermania and Darren Brosowski in country so maybe they have parts if necessary. I know the sewing machine prices are high in Down Under but I would only buy it if it makes 6 SPI or more. I´s try to beat down the price - maybe 450 - 500 AUD IF it has a good stitch length. Edited October 12, 2014 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Sorry - I meant 6 SPI or less (not more). With other words 4mm or longer stitches! If the stitches are shorter than 4mm when adjusted to the max. stitch length I would not buy it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites