Hello - it sounds like we may need to see some pics of your machines
That's a great idea
@Bodgeitandscarper !
I'll try to limit them to one picture of each.
I'd welcome questions like "where did you find that one?" but I probably can't explain if you ask "what are you going to use that one for?" or "why do you need so many?"
About ten years ago, I needed a Sewing Machine for my son's school theatre costume. No-one in our families owned one, our friends & neighbours didn't use one either, so I browsed the Local Ads. They were going for £5-£10 each at the time. I bought my first machine that evening, a perfect Singer 201 in a mock-croc wooden suitcase. It had belonged to the young lady's grandmother. She told me no-one in her family wanted it now, or could see a further use for it.
Nowadays of course, vintage machines are fetching much more. But I don't think its down to home-crafting, The Sewing Bee on BBC, or Lockdown, because they're still generally crusted, unused, and non-working.
I like the research & history, sourcing parts, the mechanics and electrics (I repair clocks & radios too) then of course there's the practicalities of a fully-working piece of history.
I don't think I'm going to be cured any time soon. I want to rescue them all.