Thank you for this comparison video. I can't choose a favorite. Out of the dozen machines I've collected, I have a top 3. All singers, I love them for different reasons. First is my 431G, because it is a beast with many zzstitches. Next is my 201, because it is so smooth and quiet, it's my main quilt piecing machine. 3rd is my 301. At 16lbs weight it goes with me to quilting group.
Thank you for such a thorough comparison. I love various vintage machines, I have a few Singers, several Japanese made, Swiss and Italian. I don’t think I could pick just one as my favorite.
I was told by a retired singer technician from the days when Singer still made their own machine that singer made their own screws so the threading on the screw is not the same as a screw you get anywhere. So some of their screws you need to get from a collector of singer original parts
Thanks for letting me know this. Thus far, screw replacement has been the most challenging part of my sewing machine restorations. Maybe, I can find a place to produce them in bulk so I don't have to buy for parts machines.
Good video, but one concern. those machines should not be oiled to the extent that oil "drips". If you buy sewing machine oil in a bottle, transfer some to a small "needle oiler" bottle and only place one drop on each oil point of the machine. You can then run the machine for a minute to spread the oil on the joint. Oil as often as the manual recommends.
Thanks for the interesting topic. I do like the early 70s Kenmores in the 158 series. For straight stitching only projects, it's the Singer 201 for sure. They are of a different era, so it is kind of an apple & oranges comparison. I would like to see you do another comparison of different machines of the same era.
It depends on what I am sewing. My Kenmore with a 1.2 amp motor is much better when using a ruffler foot than my Singer 403. For lightweight work like piecing my Singer 301 is great. I have a Bernina 590 which is fine for a lot of things but the feet are big and in general it more comfortable sewing with smaller feet. Thank you for your great videos.
You bring up an interesting thought about the 590. Wide feed feed dogs allow you to have beautiful decorative stitches. But, you then need wide presser feet, which makes it real hard to go around tight corners. For this reason, I wish more sewing machines had quick change feed dogs because it makes for a more versatile machines that can go around tight corners and make beautiful decorative stitches too. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
So interesting! You're very knowledgeable. I like the vintage Japanese style and want stretch stitches, so I'd probably go with the all-metal Kenmores. I was quite surprized the Singer 401s have a plastic gear.
Yes. The all metal Kenmore are awesome. But, if I were going to do a purchase all over again, I would choose a low shank 158 model Kenmore rather than going for a super high shank because the feet are hard to find and adapters are less than fun to use.
The gear is "Textolite", a fiber impregnated phenolic material. This was used starting in the 1920's in automobile starter motors.. This material is "not plastic or nylon"...
kenmore all made in Japan/korea some of the best machines for heavy stuff. I think one of the things is parts an old singer will have lots of parts since many of them are essetially the same inside or you can always find another used on to gut for parts. THanks for the video
I think your Emdeko feet look about the same as the Singer low shank feet, the slant shank style of foot was definitely an improvement I think. I think the your singer may be a little older than the Emdeko. I have wondered if the Emdeko may have been identity marketed; I remember asking myself that in the early 80s.. I like some Japanese machines too.
What is your favorite model vintage sewing machine? Thanks for watching. If you haven’t already, please give this video a thumbs up 👍
Thank you for this comparison video. I can't choose a favorite. Out of the dozen machines I've collected, I have a top 3. All singers, I love them for different reasons. First is my 431G, because it is a beast with many zzstitches. Next is my 201, because it is so smooth and quiet, it's my main quilt piecing machine. 3rd is my 301. At 16lbs weight it goes with me to quilting group.
Thank you for such a thorough comparison. I love various vintage machines, I have a few Singers, several Japanese made, Swiss and Italian. I don’t think I could pick just one as my favorite.
I was told by a retired singer technician from the days when Singer still made their own machine that singer made their own screws so the threading on the screw is not the same as a screw you get anywhere. So some of their screws you need to get from a collector of singer original parts
Thanks for letting me know this. Thus far, screw replacement has been the most challenging part of my sewing machine restorations. Maybe, I can find a place to produce them in bulk so I don't have to buy for parts machines.
Good video, but one concern. those machines should not be oiled to the extent that oil "drips". If you buy sewing machine oil in a bottle, transfer some to a small "needle oiler" bottle and only place one drop on each oil point of the machine. You can then run the machine for a minute to spread the oil on the joint. Oil as often as the manual recommends.
I prefer the gear driven machines, as well as drop in bobbin feature on most of my machines.
Thanks for the interesting topic. I do like the early 70s Kenmores in the 158 series. For straight stitching only projects, it's the Singer 201 for sure. They are of a different era, so it is kind of an apple & oranges comparison. I would like to see you do another comparison of different machines of the same era.
It depends on what I am sewing. My Kenmore with a 1.2 amp motor is much better when using a ruffler foot than my Singer 403. For lightweight work like piecing my Singer 301 is great. I have a Bernina 590 which is fine for a lot of things but the feet are big and in general it more comfortable sewing with smaller feet. Thank you for your great videos.
You bring up an interesting thought about the 590. Wide feed feed dogs allow you to have beautiful decorative stitches. But, you then need wide presser feet, which makes it real hard to go around tight corners. For this reason, I wish more sewing machines had quick change feed dogs because it makes for a more versatile machines that can go around tight corners and make beautiful decorative stitches too. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
You zhould try for a Singer 401A
Yes, Singer should have had the needle plate lever and a feed dawg drop. Thr noise of the Singer is orobably due to direct drive, which i like.
So interesting! You're very knowledgeable. I like the vintage Japanese style and want stretch stitches, so I'd probably go with the all-metal Kenmores. I was quite surprized the Singer 401s have a plastic gear.
Yes. The all metal Kenmore are awesome. But, if I were going to do a purchase all over again, I would choose a low shank 158 model Kenmore rather than going for a super high shank because the feet are hard to find and adapters are less than fun to use.
The gear is "Textolite", a fiber impregnated phenolic material. This was used starting in the 1920's in automobile starter motors.. This material is "not plastic or nylon"...
Interesting. Thank you.
kenmore all made in Japan/korea some of the best machines for heavy stuff. I think one of the things is parts an old singer will have lots of parts since many of them are essetially the same inside or you can always find another used on to gut for parts.
THanks for the video
Thanks for watching.
I think your Emdeko feet look about the same as the Singer low shank feet, the slant shank style of foot was definitely an improvement I think. I think the your singer may be a little older than the Emdeko. I have wondered if the Emdeko may have been identity marketed; I remember asking myself that in the early 80s.. I like some Japanese machines too.
I'll stick with my Singers for parts availability alone!!!!
Wow- look at the size difference between these two “girls”….petite Japanese vs. honking huge American!