Hi
@Gavin,
Thanks Brenda!
I would suggest either the Singer 15 or the 201 - they're both very available machines and tough use standard needles and bobbins and parts and spares are widely available as is advice. I would probably look on local Gumtree or Ebay. the reason for this is they are ferociously heavy so you'll save a lot on PnP and you can see the machine yourself. I think you are looking for a workhorse, so you can choose one which is a little battered (faded decals and enamel wear) rather than being prissy about a collectors piece.
I would probably look for the cast iron model of the 201 and the 15 only comes in cast iron they will be heavier and give you better stability when you use them, especially with heavier fabrics.
the 201 has a larger 'harp' space - the area between the bed and the neck of the machine, which might be helpful when handling large pieces of ridged fabric.
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the cast iron 201k; most have roughly the same format the real tell tale feature for me is the round plate with the stitch length lever in it
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the 15k - again theres a lot of these but they all have roughly the same format they were also popularly knocked off by japan and there are lot of later ones of these in different colours. Japanese manuafacturing was very good and some people say they're as almost as good as the originals.
the tell tale on these for me is the bottle shaped neck.
there are other makes and models that will do nicely but they can be scarce - old pfaffs for example - Pfaff 30s are like tanks. Crestas can be brutal, but singers are plentiful and more likely to be a bargain!
If you want me to have a look at any gumtree finds just let me know, but I can't promise a swift turn around.
As an aside are you anywhere near Norfolk? I have a 201 that works but could do with a good home.