Singer 6180 to replace Janome ?

[Mouseskowitz]

Don't know if you ever have reason to come to Chicago.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/for/4568232627.html

[squidbilly]

...or a real Singer 15. What about a 401? Bombproof,straight stitch, zig/zag and has a steel camstack with lots of decorative stitches built in.

Singer 401: 20140721_212015.jpg
In the foreground of this pic is an example of some of the built in stitches it does in addition to SS and zig-zag. You can create custom stitches by adding a cam.
(My wife is preparing to use it to add decorative stitching to the binding of the quilts you see to the left and behind.)

[FJRpilot]

I picked up my Supernova's for ~$25-$150 without any of the really nice Necchi cabinets.

So I keep looking.... But never run into a Mythical $25 anything.... But part of my daily routine is to look at CL and see what gets posted... I see a $50 treadle head without the base that looks nice.... Maybe....

[Bubba]

So I keep looking.... But never run into a Mythical $25 anything.... But part of my daily routine is to look at CL and see what gets posted... I see a $50 treadle head without the base that looks nice.... Maybe....

I picked up a White sewing machine and table for $15.00 at my local Value Village. I put a new needle in it, cleaned off some old tape residue, oiled it up and it works really well. Even if it died a year from now, (which it won't) for $15.00 you can't go wrong. All the machines I've picked up from Value Village or Good Will are typically $25.00 to $35.00. Keep looking, you'll find it!

[FJRpilot]

I picked up a White sewing machine and table for $15.00 at my local Value Village. I put a new needle in it, cleaned off some old tape residue, oiled it up and it works really well. Even if it died a year from now, (which it won't) for $15.00 you can't go wrong. All the machines I've picked up from Value Village or Good Will are typically $25.00 to $35.00. Keep looking, you'll find it!

I have a feeling that it's my proximity to the border of Mexico that's the cause of a lack of these finds... Any thing that gets offered in a yard or estate sale gets snatched up and ends up across the border.....

But I won't despair, I'll just keep looking and something might turn up.... I also travel for work a bit... I look in locations I may be in for a few days... You never know...

[gmcttr]

Our local sanitary landfill has an area to drop off usable items for others to take free.

A friend called me earlier this year from the dump, said there was a singer there if I wanted it. I figured it would be a cheap modern machine but said sure...go ahead and grab it. 30 minutes later, she dropped off a Singer 327 that only needed oiled. It is one of the last all metal guts machines Singer made and one I had been looking for.

Sometimes you get lucky.

[opie]

Singer 403a. Good machine?

[VictoriaGuy]

Singer 403a. Good machine?

Good video of what to look for at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1g4fhdhXXs
Singer's answer to the earlier Elnas...cams for decorative stitches and EDIT: INCORRECT INFO ABOUT ZZ DELETED HERE - 403A does require a ZZ cam, all metal. What's not to like?

Lotsa parts and presser feet available, though it is Slant-O-Matic so can't use a lot of the common (hi and lo shank) feet. But, you only need a ZZ and zipper foot for 99% of the stuff you'll probably be doing.

It should last you 'bout forever for gear making.

[opie]

Ok. I'm still going back and forth right now. Trying to find out what cams it comes with.

[The Old Boot]

Singer 403a. Good machine?

Excellent choice...you'll be handing that one down to your great grandkids.