Ferdinand Sewing Machine

[nategines]

I am thinking about buying this old Ferdinand (serial# 988038 ). The seller can't seem to find the model number on the machine. I am told it is a clone of a Consew model, Im just not sure which one. Can anyone help me out? 

Does $150 Sound like a good price?

Thanks for your help. Ive never owned a walking foot sewing machine and Im looking forward to finding one. 

[nylonRigging]

Not sure if it a totally resembles Consew design ? .  Price tag say's ( 300-$ for Head ) . If that Head is operating and laying down nice stitches, (if were me)  I would not hesitate a second to grab it, would be an easy table set-up project.

Pic.  Feet and Dogs 'are probably' look pretty common . What size needle ? and what does it use for a Bobbin Assembly ? .
the Backside of the machine pic.  horizontal shaft and linkage looks hell stout, and that huge hand wheel is a lot of inertia by weight when it gets rolling, so looks setup for punching slower RPM .
.

[nategines]

@nylonRigging My worry is that I won't be able to buy parts in the future. However, it does seem like a good deal. 

Would you say it has reverse? The buyer didn't know and Im not sure what to look for on the photos. 

Thanks for your opinion. Its really value to me. 

[Wizcrafts]

55 minutes ago, nategines said:

Would you say it has reverse? The buyer didn't know and Im not sure what to look for on the photos. 

I see a reverse lever in the photos. It is attached to the right end of the head and has leather strips wrapped below its top. One presses down on the lever to reverse the feed.

Parts availability depends on what machine it is a clone of and if parts for that machine are available in the aftermarket, or from a manufacturer in Asia. There are few if any actual Ferdinand parts available. Hoffman Brothers in Chicago would have whatever was left when they bought the brand. You might want to contact them about this machine.

[nylonRigging]

5 hours ago, nategines said:

@nylonRigging My worry is that I won't be able to buy parts in the future. However, it does seem like a good deal. 

Would you say it has reverse? The buyer didn't know and Im not sure what to look for on the photos. 

Thanks for your opinion. Its really value to me. 

What  .Wizcrafts. is all saying .... and Dude I would buy that in a heartbeat because I dont mind little projects . it does look 'somewhat' similar design to my heavy 146RB . but it looks 'even more heavier duty' in horizontal shaft size and linkage from the Pic's you gave .
It looks Clean, and If it rolling and stitching ( Get It ) for tag/300-$ . you also saying less-$ price like 150-$ ? ..that a steal . If they will take less-$ than 300-$ , then it all gravy after that . You can take your time and research and X-reference all the usual parts that normal wear .
 
If . . ( Head Only ) GET THE HINGES IF THERE THERE . but easy to order off ebay or amazon if not . you setting up a table for it, not that hard to do . Probably uses common knee-lift linkage for raising presser foot . And a oil drip-pan easy to make or buy . I would bet a weeks pay that the table cut-out is common also .

.edit add:.. reason it probably  looks clean as it does for it's age, is that is looks to be set-up for slow turning RPM and heavier thick work . It probably still really solid and not sloppy . Get It .

 

 

Edited December 4, 2019 by nylonRigging

[nategines]

@nylonRigging Ya, I think I am going to pick it up. Thanks for confirming that its a good deal. Ill be sure to look for the hinges. Im hoping that it will fit on my current table. But if not, Im open to getting a new one. Thanks for the info! Super helpful. Cant wait to try it out. 

@Wizcrafts Thanks for the info. Im going to give the Hoffman Brothers a call tomorrow. Im assuming that you've been in the industry for awhile?

[shoepatcher]

Ferdco at the end when they were in Utah used Consew heads for their conversions.  This one has the big Ferdco balance wheel which gave the machine a lot of torque for going thru thick leacher.   This one looks like  Mitsubishi YU-360 head.  $300.00 is not a bad price and $150.00 is a great price.  Buy it and we will  figure out for sure what head they used.

glenn

[nategines]

@shoepatcher Thank man! Im going to pick it up next weekend. Ill let you know how it does. Thanks for the help and encouragement.

[dikman]

So how much is it, $150 or $300?

[nategines]

@dikman $150

[dikman]

As long as it's sewing ok then I reckon you got a good deal at that price.

[CowboyBob]

It's a good deal,never haul it face down though like it is in the pic in the crate,you be breaking parts.It  is like a Cowboy 797 we used to  sell. I doubt if Hoffman will know about it they just bought Ferdco 5 yrs ago.We do stock some parts for it.

[nategines]

I finally got the sewing machine. I am told it's a Ferdco, but there isn't actually and identification on it. What do you guys think? Happy to take additional pictures if that would help identify what kind of a clone it is. 

[dikman]

I can't help with the identification but it looks pretty clean. I reckon you did real well for $150.

[shoepatcher]

The large balance wheel looks like what Ferdco used>

glenn

[ABR]

I bought a Ferdco sewing machine in 1992.  It is a Consew 206RB-3 I think.  I can see where they took the Consew serial number off and they stamped a Ferdco serial number in it.  The operating instruction book that came with it is for a 206RB-1but it's not a 206RB-1.  My machine looks quite a bit different than yours.  Most of the 206RB machines take a 135 size needle but mine uses 190 needles.  That's something that Ferdco changed.  It is a Ferdco model 990

Edited December 29, 2019 by ABR

[nategines]

Im wondering if its even a Ferdco at this point. I found pics online of the mitsubishi YU line. Can find much info, but it looks like the same body. What do you guys think? Could it be a clone of the Mitsubishi an actual Mitsubishi? 

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

On 12/4/2019 at 11:45 AM, Wizcrafts said:

There are few if any actual Ferdinand parts available. Hoffman Brothers in Chicago would have whatever was left when they bought the brand. You might want to contact them about this machine.

I finally heard back from them? They don’t have any parts from previous models! The little bit of inventory they bought is gone! No manuals or anything for past models, they’re just selling the “New” Pro 2000 models!

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

On 12/30/2019 at 9:35 AM, nategines said:

Im wondering if its even a Ferdco at this point. I found pics online of the mitsubishi YU line. Can find much info, but it looks like the same body. What do you guys think? Could it be a clone of the Mitsubishi an actual Mitsubishi? 

Ferdco took machines that were already in production, and improved and modified them to work better with leather!