Old Singer Domestic - WOW!

[fredk]

I've found that in N.I. things like this go for more money than they are worth as they are bought for 'interior decoration'

Near where I used to live is a business which buys up all sorts of odd things and sells it at huge profits for theme pubs / restaurants or ordinary homes. The outward condition of an item does not often mean a higher price. Sometimes items with 'age & patina' sell for much more

[chuck123wapati]

Here sewing machines can be had for free usually except for those few treadle machines that are complete. you can pick up any number of used home machines for nothing. People just don't sew anymore so granny's machine goes to the yard sale then the dumps. I guess some folks collect them so that may push up the cost on some if they are perfect. just in one summer i picked up four older machines for nothing all were in almost unused condition. My favorite is  a 401a  slant needle machine freebie that was in like new condition i love that thing.

Rebuilding and reselling is about the same as bicycles nowadays the younger folks  in the US have been taught to buy only brand new then throw away and buy brand new again, go figure,  so collectors are the only ones that would even look.

[leecopp]

Hey Friends,

The one facebook pictures shows the model as a 15NL - A class 15 nostalgia machines (1980s?+). The tells for me are the very good decals and the very new looking treadle cabinet. These machines are still being made but generally not the same build quality as the older "production machines".  The treadle cabinet looks very modern and seems to be missing the flip top to cover the drop head.  I owned one briefly when I was in my acquisition phase .. I had a tough time getting it to sew and was fortunate that the seller took it back.  Perhaps a nice look pretty machine, but I would be surprised if it suited for serious sewing. Happy Days.  lee

[nylonRigging]

Here in the NW. US. , If I type-in 'sewing machine ' in the Portland, local Craigslist sales general search . looked today, It will pop-up 193 sewing machines that are for sale .
Asking prices are all over the place, there is no rhyme or reason for some of the overpriced fantasy land, asking prices for used sew machines . You can find old clean treadle machine flatbeds anywhere from 75-$ to 200-$ .. but then when looking you also see some guy with a delusional asking price of 1100-$ for an old Beatup singer 29-4 . . Then also there is a clean Singer Model  # 29K60 asking 400-$ . . Seen a old singer 48" longarm singer for 1500-$ last week .
.
 

[Gymnast]

11 hours ago, leecopp said:

Hey Friends,

The one facebook pictures shows the model as a 15NL - A class 15 nostalgia machines (1980s?+). The tells for me are the very good decals and the very new looking treadle cabinet. These machines are still being made but generally not the same build quality as the older "production machines".  The treadle cabinet looks very modern and seems to be missing the flip top to cover the drop head.  I owned one briefly when I was in my acquisition phase .. I had a tough time getting it to sew and was fortunate that the seller took it back.  Perhaps a nice look pretty machine, but I would be surprised if it suited for serious sewing. Happy Days.  lee

Yes, I agree - this is most likely one of the cheap Chinese copies. In picture I can see a black plastic knob to lower the feed dogs, and it gives away identity.

[CowboyBob]

On 9/25/2021 at 5:16 PM, Sheilajeanne said:

Could have had a nice used patcher for $300 earlier this year, but it would have been just too hard to transport it without help. I still haven't gotten around to buying that marvelous gizmo Ferg has for getting the old cast iron machines up and down stairs!

That's a good price!They aren't that hard to handle if you take the 4-screws off from under the head & separate the head from the base & carry it in 2-pieces.They should always be transported this way to prevent breakage along with being alot easier to handle.

Edited September 27, 2021 by CowboyBob

[Sheilajeanne]

4 hours ago, Gymnast said:

Yes, I agree - this is most likely one of the cheap Chinese copies. In picture I can see a black plastic knob to lower the feed dogs, and it gives away identity.

Thanks to those of you who have identified the machine. I'm not knowledgeable enough to do that without seeing a machine number. BUT what gives it away is the tag in one of the photos, which I hadn't noticed before - looks like the machine came from Taiwan, and the model number is 15NL.

Bob, even separated from the base, those machines weigh about 90 lbs. I'm female, and not young anymore, and my back hurts more every day. Nope, nope, nope! The patcher was about a 3 hour's drive away, and I would have had to take someone with me who could handle that sort of weight, as there was no one on the seller's end who could help. Just wasn't going to happen, I'm afraid, though I did seriously think about it, especially after the seller dropped the price from $500!

Edited September 27, 2021 by Sheilajeanne

[Sheilajeanne]

NL machines: 

Thanks for getting me to do my homework!  It always pays off!   

Quote

Modern 'Nostalgia' Model 15’s

From the mid 1970’s what are often referred to as ‘Nostalgia’ model 15’s were made in Taiwan and then later in China. These were made to the same design as earlier machines with the traditional black cast iron bodies and with the RAF or Sphinx decals etc. They were even supplied in the old style bentwood cases or treadle tables.  

The machines built at the Singer factory in Taiwan were identified by the model No. 15NL. The Chinese made 15CH179 is a current model being sold into various African and Asian countries. Although these machine look like the originals, there are subtle differences and they have a poor reputation of being lower quality machines that tend to be very noisy in use.            https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/15

 

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Sheilajeanne

[kgg]

On 9/25/2021 at 1:57 PM, Sheilajeanne said:

I don't know if there's someone out there willing to pay this sort of money,

This one even shocked me, $2500 for a Singer Featherweight 222.  Kijiji ad in Ontario, Canada ( www.kijiji.ca/v-art-collectibles/ottawa/singer-featherweight-222/1588802786 )

kgg

 

[Sheilajeanne]

kgg, not going to sell for that price! I've seen the featherweights for sale, in good working condition, for around $100 - 200 Canadian. 

The treadle machines generally go for a lower price, as they are harder for this generation to use. Electric Singers in good working condition generally go for $100 and up, depending on the condition of the cabinet.