Singer 6180 to replace Janome ?

**Mouseskowitz** · 07-20-2014, 17:12

They joys of having a Bluetooth keyboard, it's sometimes still asleep on the first key stroke. Try this link. https://lansing.craigslist.org/app/4566857543.html
I'm starting to understand how good a selection of machines I have available in Chicago. Lansing area is slim pickings.
One of these might have potential if it runs, the price is right. https://lansing.craigslist.org/hsh/4578835709.html The Universal looks like a Singer 15 clone and the black one like a Singer 66 Centennial.

**opie** · 07-20-2014, 17:21

Originally Posted by Mouseskowitz

Here's a few things I found on CL in your area. You could always do multiple straight lines instead of bar tack and go with a straight stitch machine.
Not sure if there's plastic in this one or not. http://store.picharpak.com/index.php...&product_id=51
If you want to go industrial. https://lansing.craigslist.org/for/4568632599.html
Beautiful treadle. https://lansing.craigslist.org/atq/4576136112.html
Over priced but will do a great straight stitch. https://lansing.craigslist.org/for/4500479895.html
Don't know enough about them to comment on the price, but looks like a solid little machine. https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/art/4564599122.html
If it works it's a steal. https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/atq/4505973008.html
Should work well with heavier thread. https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/atq/4491375181.html
If you don't mind driving this looks like a beast that you'd never break. https://southbend.craigslist.org/clt/4531571858.html

Don't know if that helps or not.

CL was my first stop. I have 2 seperate, but distinct issues I need to address with my purchase.

First, We literally have no room in our house for another piece of furniture. Right now my sewing table consists of an old coffee table top that fits perfectly on our ottoman. So having the machine portable is a must.

Second, I don't want someone elses project/problem. I like the looks of the older machines and I recognize they were built to last. But nostalgia is not a driving factor for me in regards to a sewing machine.

I also don't want to travel outside Lansing to pick something up. That being said, perhaps I missed something in one of the links you posted, so Ill check them out.

**opie** · 07-20-2014, 17:22

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

Opie... here's an example of my concern. The Singer has a max speed of ~700 s/m. My dead grandmother can walk faster than that. You are going to be chaffing at the bit. The low end machines are made slow because they are intended for pwople who don't know any better. Plus with slower speeds comes less wear on the cheap plastic parts. I'm not suggesting you need the 1500-3000 s/m of an industrial. But 700 is just too slow in my mind.

I rarely run the machine I have now at full speed. In fact, the fastest I think I run it is maybe 3/4. Definitely 1/2.

**Mouseskowitz** · 07-20-2014, 17:25

Originally Posted by opie

CL was my first stop. I have 2 seperate, but distinct issues I need to address with my purchase.

First, We literally have no room in our house for another piece of furniture. Right now my sewing table consists of an old coffee table top that fits perfectly on our ottoman. So having the machine portable is a must.

Second, I don't want someone elses project/problem. I like the looks of the older machines and I recognize they were built to last. But nostalgia is not a driving factor for me in regards to a sewing machine.

I also don't want to travel outside Lansing to pick something up. That being said, perhaps I missed something in one of the links you posted, so Ill check them out.

These are portable, not sure where they're located, posted 40 minutes ago. The Universal is a model 15 clone and probably won't need anything other than some oil in the right places. https://lansing.craigslist.org/hsh/4578835709.html
Probably can disregard most of the rest.

**momtaxi** · 07-20-2014, 17:28

1) I have a singer 503, wonderful wonderful machine. There are typically two things that go wrong with them, the power switch and the stacked pattern cam. If these two things are working and the machine runs well it will be wonderful. If you end up not liking it you can sell it for a big profit on ebay. Even if it is missing cams you can pick them up cheaply on ebay.... if you even need them.

2) If you don't have room for the furniture then ditch it. Give it to goodwill. Noone says you have to keep it with the machine. I sewed on our kitchen table for a long time.

3) Nostalgia really isn't the main reason to buy these machines, they are simply much better at the job. They will last longer on the whole and are much more repairable when things go wrong. You are spending very little money for a complex piece of machinery and the new ones are cardboard. The fact they are cool is a bonus.

Never had a Necchi, my friend has one she really likes, I know nothing about that one though.

**opie** · 07-20-2014, 17:31

I saw those...... Im not sold on going older. Thats a good price..... I seem to have a habit of buying projects though. Or, I suppose depending on how you look at it, have extreme OCD and I tear things apart to make them perfect. That eats into gear making time. Kid time. Wife time.

I don't mean to discount the value in buying an older, built like a tank, machine. It just doesn't fit my personality, or my attention span.

**opie** · 07-20-2014, 17:36

I did find some Janomes I need to research a bit more.

**momtaxi** · 07-20-2014, 17:39

Well if you really want brand new and want to pay under $100 I suggest you buy a costco machine. That way you can take it back when it breaks.... or you might get lucky.

**Mouseskowitz** · 07-20-2014, 17:40

Originally Posted by opie

I saw those...... Im not sold on going older. Thats a good price..... I seem to have a habit of buying projects though. Or, I suppose depending on how you look at it, have extreme OCD and I tear things apart to make them perfect. That eats into gear making time. Kid time. Wife time.

I can understand that. I'm in the middle of tearing down and cleaning my 1941 Singer 15-88 and I have a 66 and 99 both sitting here torn apart waiting to be finished. If you could keep yourself to oiling and dusting out the bobbin area the 15 clone would be a good bridge to a new machine and could be a backup or resold for the same price or maybe a profit. But you have to do what is good for you.

**gmcttr** · 07-20-2014, 18:13

opie, FWIW (and bucking the trend)...the way I read your OP is that you are looking for a machine to do ripstop nylon projects and maybe an occasional bit of webbing. Before I "got into" sewing machines and bought my beloved vintage Singers and Necchis, I bought a ~$120 Walmart Singer and proceeded to make a few hammocks, a couple of UQs, stuff sacks and even a few tree straps out of the lighter 1500 lb webbing without too many problems.

It's not anywhere near as pleasurable to use as my other machines, but it got the job done and is still working. Someday a plastic gear or electronic part will go bad and I'll toss it. With a bit a care the others will be working 100 years from now.

If you want a new machine and don't want to spend big $$$, go for it. You're aware it's not going to last a lifetime and are OK with that. Take a look at the entry level Janome machines without all the fancy electronic features. Simple is a plus here with less to go wrong.