Clones And Originals

[Darren Brosowski]

In the 50's, 60's and 70's Singer dealers were encouraged to take trades of old machines. Unfortunately the instruction was to smash them up!

A few years back I heard of over 100 machines - mostly singers - from a closed down factory that were supposedly in storage in another old building. I raced down there that day but they had been scrapped a few months before. Most were boring straight sewers but there were quite a few Conelli and Singer 114 free motion embroidery machines that would have been quite valuable.

Seems they have processed a lot of cast iron. I wonder where all that cast iron is nowadays? I think there are some kind machine hoarders out there and a lot is concentrated on Ebay Germany. Ebay is probably the larges cast iron source in da world. When you melt down all the existing vintage cast iron machines and the world price for iron will drop dramatically .

[Kohlrausch]

Seems they have processed a lot of cast iron. I wonder where all that cast iron is nowadays? I think there are some kind machine hoarders out there and a lot is concentrated on Ebay Germany. Ebay is probably the larges cast iron source in da world. When you melt down all the existing vintage cast iron machines and the world price for iron will drop dramatically .

Well, I would admit to about 20 sewing machines, but I have heard, there also are one or two in the London-Camden-Market-area.

All of Kilbowie's production at 20 kg/machine would accumulate to about 0,5 percent of one years raw steel production nowadays. At about 120 Euro/ton Kilbowie's entire production would fetch roughly 86,000,000 Euros.

I guess, it's worth more if kept alive ;-)

Greets

Ralf C.

[Constabulary]

well, I meant it as a joke.

[TinkerTailor]

Who built what and when is a good story but would be an incomplete story without info on who patented what, and who stole/borrowed/bought/rented such patents, as well as the stories of who forgot to patent things they should have.

Everybody was paying everyone to use patents. Others modified the item just enough to get out of the patent scope.

[jimi]

Sorry, iam off on another subject, but did you see how long they took making those needles!! and it does look like they fitted the machines after they were painted Darren?? at least thats what the film shows?

[christen]

On subject of sewing machines, I was able to pick up a Wheeler and Wilson "8" treadle a while back. But on another note: could anyone help on this one.

Been talking to my Aunt for a few years on this subject, machine capable of sewing leather and upholstery. She has an Adler 267gk-373, and my other Aunt has a TACSEW T 622R. She recalls having the tables in storage but has the head at home with her. She does not remember much about them except she did some seat cover work and boat covers, just this week said she would be interested in selling to me.

Question, which is a better machine for sewing soft furniture leathers and car seat leather/vinyl. Believe they are both walking foot (from what Aunt said), which is what have been told I need. Any help appreciated.

[Uwe]

If I were you, I'd be REALLY nice to my aunt with the Adler 267GK373. It should be perfect for sewing upholstery type projects. Don't know much about that TacSew, other than it's a clone of sorts and has zigzag. If you don't want the Adler, I'll take it - just sayin' :-)

Edited January 10, 2016 by Uwe

[Darren Brosowski]

The movie is from after the time that they went to the arsenal system

http://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1592

not sure but i think they were assembled painted??

The machine production is obviously after the introduction of the arsenal system as prior to that they could not punch through those sorts of numbers!!

Needles are a precision art

Sorry, iam off on another subject, but did you see how long they took making those needles!! and it does look like they fitted the machines after they were painted Darren?? at least thats what the film shows?

[Darren Brosowski]

A great example is the Singer model 15 domestic.

Original production was the long beak shuttle as used in the 17/18 class but the later version with a bobbin case with a "finger" (similar to the 31 bobbin case) was stolen from the Germans!!!!

I prefer to think of it all as design fusion between companies.

Who built what and when is a good story but would be an incomplete story without info on who patented what, and who stole/borrowed/bought/rented such patents, as well as the stories of who forgot to patent things they should have.

Everybody was paying everyone to use patents. Others modified the item just enough to get out of the patent scope.

[christen]

Anyone have info on whether or not I can replace/attach a walking foot to a TACSEW T622R, that does not currently have one on it?

**Another note my Aunt is giving me a quote of $900 on the Adler, is that a deal or not? Thanks