Apparently a rare find.

[iRokk]

So whilst in the hunt for a thread injector, I heard from a little birdie in the family that we still had my grandmother's old one somewhere. Low and behold, it is a Lady Kenmore 89, which from what I've read is exactly the same as a Pfaff 280, just with a different name slapped on it. Luckily it has the user manual with it, because I am having trouble finding info online other than people asking what it is worth. Pictures coming soon, and if anyone else has info on these machines, since I'm assuming the info for one would be roughly the same for the other, that would be awesome.

If I can end up getting it working this will be the start of a whole new chapter of DIY. What have you people done to me?

[Lost_Biker]

It's a great find. Give it some TLC and it can be passed down to your kids.

http://dragonpoodle.blogspot.com/201...-disguise.html

What we have done to you is drag you out of the darkness and into the diy light!

Now, get busy!

[iRokk]

Whoa. This machine has a cult following

Guess I better go check the cam stack like she says and oil 'er up then.

[VictoriaGuy]

Nice find.
I've worked on a couple of Pfaffs (262, 1222E).
I'd recommend resisting the temptation to 'power it up' at first.

If you have the money, taking it to a reputable (& skilled) sewing machine repair guy would be well worth while, IMO.

Otherwise:
Remove the thread and the bobbin (and bobbin case) and turn it by hand (if possible. The top plate can be removed, and also the end plates if it is like other Pfaffs. If everything moves easily, sewing machine oil on all the moving locations (precise drops..) will probably be enough. If things are 'sticky', a solvent will be required - let it soak in and be patient. Lots of info on this online..

Having the manual is a big plus, and even better is having somebody there who knows how to sew on a similar machine, to know what the controls should do.

Most of the Pfaffs will sew straight and zig-zag even if the (plastic?) cam stack is not working. On the 262 the stack can be removed entirely; on more complex machines it may be best to leave in place.

We need pictures!

[iRokk]

I definitely don't have the cash to take it to a repair guy, but I wasn't planning on just powering it up. Thanks for the tips, I guess I never thought about how many moving parts were actually in one of these. As soon as my 1.1 gets here (I wanna be here when the USPS lady gets here, don't like it when she leaves my deliveries sitting on the ground outside) I will head over to check it out, see what it has, what I need, etc. As excited as I am, I know to be patient, especially with machinery older than I am!

[Zilla]

My wife has 2 singers that were passed down and we dug one out last night as she is gonna try to teach me to sew.
This is an oldie but goody,
singer 301A

My wife said that her grandmother told her it was the last year singer made a whole METAL machine, this thing weights about 12 pounds or more.

Started right up and runs like a champ.
Gonna try and look it up because i need a manual, that we did not find.
If anyone comes across it please let me know

Found it

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.dmg&cad=rja

[VictoriaGuy]

Thanks for the tips, I guess I never thought about how many moving parts were actually in one of these.

If you like mechanical things, sewing machines are really really interesting!
Lots of technology there!

As soon as my 1.1 gets here (I wanna be here when the USPS lady gets here, don't like it when she leaves my deliveries sitting on the ground outside) I will head over to check it out, see what it has, what I need, etc. As excited as I am, I know to be patient, especially with machinery older than I am!

Dig out an old cotton bedsheet/pillowcase/diaper/whatever and get some pieces of fabric to use (doubled at least) when you are getting the machine going. The cotton is also good for soaking up 'extra' drops of oil which you don't want on your nylon projects.....
One DIY guy here made some pot holders as a first project with an old towel and some cotton fabric.
A couple of people (RamblinRev for one) have suggested getting some scrap fabric with a linear or plaid pattern (old shirt) and using that for stitching practice- follow the lines and turn the corners....

When you are picking up the machine, look for :
Foot control
Bobbin case (which will probably be in the machine) and bobbins
Presser feet besides the one in the machine.
Needles (though some folks had a bad/'thrifty' habit of putting used needles in the case again)
If there is some cotton or cotton/poly thread, that will be good for tuning up the machine with your scrap fabric. Buy some Guttermans 100% polyester thread for your projects. (BTW, if you have a fair bit of sewing ahead, buying Guttermans in the larger spools from Scott at diygearsupply will save enough (compared to my local sewing store) to pay the shipping cost.)

Most sewing kits include stuff like seam rippers, small scissors, spare bulbs, pins, etc.- look for them as they are probably there with your grandmother's machine....somewhere..

[iRokk]

Saedy, does this look like it? http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine...ion_Manual.htm

[iRokk]

I will make sure to check that stuff out, and practice some straight stitching, as that is all I will need for this project. Just sewing hems around the edges of the nylon and then whipping the ends. I just want my lines to be as straight as I can get them!

[VictoriaGuy]

singer 301A

My wife said that her grandmother told her it was the last year singer made a whole METAL machine, this thing weights about 12 pounds or more.

Started right up and runs like a champ.
Gonna try and look it up because i need a manual, that we did not find.
If anyone comes across it please let me know

Probably you should start a separate thread for your 301A, but check out:

Site with free PDF older Singer manuals

There's a 301 manual there.
The web is full of crooks who are selling copies of manuals they have downloaded for free.
It's hard to find the good sites for manuals.