The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Vintage Machines => Topic started by: Lilian on October 04, 2020, 22:46:57 PM
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For sale in my local charity shop. Does anyone know if they are any good?
It's £30 and comes with an instruction book, case, and some feet.
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Probably VERY heavy, Japanese made, and may work well but may not. It's hard to generalise about machines like this (of this era) Will they let you try it out, and take a look underneath at least?
Leial
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Looks very clean must have been well looked after. I picked this off a website that had one for sale:
Fully Serviced ands sews a fantastic stitch. It is a lightweight machine and Great for eveyday use. It Features:- Straight stitch, Reverse etc. You can see in the photographs that this can sew through some thick layers of materials, We have easily sewn through 4 layers of denim and 4 layers of PVC and cotton to. This also has the Built in Light which is ideal for a dark room. This will come with the foot control, extra needles and bobbins and some feet and carry cover. There is an instruction book that comes with this but it really is an easy machine to use. This machine will come threaded up for you so that you can begin to sew as soon as you receive the machine. It Will be left threaded up and has the stitch off under the needle from the service to show you some of the stitches and the quality of the stitch. You will not be disappointed with this machine.
My SIL has a Jones from around the 60's which she still uses and had upgraded (to electric).
Also this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/254626986463?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254626986463&targetid=939009505346&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046231&poi=&campaignid=10204071489&mkgroupid=107296306292&rlsatarget=aud-629407027345:pla-939009505346&abcId=1145987&merchantid=119056897&gclid=CjwKCAjwiOv7BRBREiwAXHbv3MY351BQJCJxhLepmLz6AODbrmOgySP-X84PeW9waj32EMw4ceotlBoCaekQAvD_BwE
£30 is a good price for a clean old machine. If its in a charity shop you will be able to have a good look at it @Lilian .
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It's not lightweight - trust me. 0_0 Even the ebay link says that their machine is heavy. These are cast metal, often heavier even than a Singer of similar build.
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They were nice machines and well suited to heavy work. My mum had one years ago.
This looks well looked after. But you’d need to know if it worked ok.
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Thanks all, I am trying to ring the shop but no answer yet. I did sell an old singer 475 I think it was and that was cast metal and very heavy. I am looking to replace that with something better.
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Thanks @Gernella I did a little search and saw that one. It is the next model by the look of it. £99 is a lot more than £30.
Hopefully I will be able to look at this one in the shop. There is a label on the top which may be certification of a P.A.T. test :)
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There is a label on the top which may be certification of a P.A.T. test :)
Probably is if sold in a charity shop @Lilian they are usually very keen on safety with electrics.
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I have just been to see this machine in the shop. It is very clean and has a lot of different feet and also a homemade clapper with it. It has not been PAT tested as they didn't realise it was electric :facepalm: but are sending it off for testing and will ring me when it is ready. I can't wait to try it :vintage:
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I would just say that PAT testing is not a guarantee that the machine will work well, only that it is electrically sound. So do be sure to check it out. But it sounds lovely, I hope it's fine :)
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I would just say that PAT testing is not a guarantee that the machine will work well, only that it is electrically sound. So do be sure to check it out. But it sounds lovely, I hope it's fine :)
Thanks I am aware, and told them I won't know if the motor works yet. But I can try it out when it comes back from the testing. Everything moves smoothly by hand and it is in very good condition. It will be two weeks they said :)
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Two weeks to build up your muscles 0_0
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Two weeks to build up your muscles 0_0
It's no heavier than one I already have. But once it's where I want it, it will stay there :vintage: :)
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I think it's very pleasing to look at. It looks extremely capable. :thumbsup:
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That's what I thought @Acorn I think it grew on me, I walk my dog along there most days but they are alway closed. I will see how it well it works before I buy it :vintage: :)
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An update on this machine. I am still waiting for it to come back from testing. I had a call last week to say it is back. I went to see it and when they opened the case it was a very rough looking Singer! They are chasing it up but I feel it has gone forever :(
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Lilian that has certainly taken its time to be PAT tested - why such a long time, I thought in your earlier post it was to be two weeks and that was back in October. Okay I know we have had two lockdowns since but surely some people must have been working.
With regards to the machine sent back being the wrong one, at least you have photos on here of the one you were interested in - so what is the shop going to do about this? I do hope for your sake that they can find the missing machine and all its bits and bobs.
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I think it's very pleasing to look at. It looks extremely capable. :thumbsup:
I agree - it looks very attractive.
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@Elnnina I have sent the photo to the shop manager and she has passed it on (hopefully) they have also rung round the other shops but nobody has it :S
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Lilian that is appalling, I do hope you had not paid any money for this in advance. That is certainly no way to run a business even if it is a charity shop. So the person who sent this machine back to your charity shop what does he have to say for the mishap?
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She told me that electrical that need PAT testing are sent to their central warehouse and the man comes in to test them when there are at least 15 items. She also told me they had some beautiful lamps that a customer wanted and they never came back. I am wondering if there are some people snatching the good items. I can understand that with a big warehouse it could be daunting to find one particular item. I will send them another photo that show the case the machine was in in an effort to make it easier to identify. I am quite annoyed at this as I haven't found another Jones 553 anywhere :(