I have this sewing machine. It's beautiful. The Singer Rocketeer slant sewing machines are the best that Singer made. The fact that this sewing machine has all metal gears is another big plus. An old Singer sewing machine repair guy told me that if we come across these Rocketeer sewing machines, you can trust it in just about any condition. They are such a durable sewing machine very little goes wrong with them. This Singer repair guy told me he bought each of his daughters this exact model and they still have them. This sewing machine is indeed a heirloom special enough to hand down from one generation to the next.
+Laurieb2851 - A fantastic machine indeed, and one of a select few I would class as heirloom worthy, as well. The all metal gears are evidence of the engineering quality, so I'm not surprised his daughters continue to enjoy them! Interestingly, the Singer 401a can also boast of an all-meal worm gear that transfers power from the motor to the machine drive shaft....a very rare feature among the Singer line. Enjoy your Rocketeer!
CowCountryVintageSewing MachinesAndRestoration I've heard of many people finding them in garage sales & Goodwill stores for $5-10. I do believe those days are gone. People are realizing there really is value, and for good reason. I also have a really nice Elna that my husband bought me when we first got married. That one also has all metal gears and is a sewing machine one might do well to look for. My Elna also has discs for different stitches. I came SO close to acquiring the absolute most deluxe sewing machine cabinet on Craigslist for free. I was too late. Darn, lol!
People are gaining insight into the amazing intrinsic value and historical significance of these mechanical wonders, but it is a slow process. If you were closer, I have several sewing tables I could offer, but trust you will find one eventually. Truthfully, I would sooner see one of these machines sell for pennies, than fall victim to the metal scrapers. Rescuing machines from these sorts is what started me down this road. Thanks for sharing, and if I can be of further service, please let me know. Warm wishes, Scott
***** We will never be able to find a better sewing machine. I was just a kid when these came out. When I got my first job, I couldn't afford these sewing machines. Lucky for us, these sewing machines are going to last forever. I've heard stories of people finding these in garage sales and thrift stores for $10. I found mine on Craigslist for $100 and gave the seller an extra $20 to deliver it to me.I bought a second on the same way for the same price. Both sewing machines were in a cabinet. It was a small price to pay for Singer's best sewing machines ever. I know I've seen these sewing machines at my local thrift store and looked at it and kind of laughed to myself. I didn't realize what they were. Now I do.
OMG I am so happy to find you on Utube! I have always wanted a good sewing machine in a cabinet and amazingly one day while driving home from work in the pouring rain I saw this sewing cabinet next to the dumpster. I stopped and grabbed this and threw it in the trunk. I opened it up when I got home to find the singer 500 Rocketeer inside, still dry. It is missing the swing arm casing in the front of the machine that indicates how to thread the machine. I have looked to replace it but haven't found one at this point. The cabinet was a mess, with all the finish chipping off. I am fine with that. I let everything dry and scraped what I could away. I downloaded the service manual but It doesn't contain a lot of information on running the machine itself. I am having trouble with adjusting the thread tension. Frankly I had this same problem with other machines. I just think I don't really know what I am doing here. I don't want to screw anything up otherwise I would give this machine a major overhaul. I don't think it has been used in years. I did give it a good cleaning and oiled and lubed everything according to the manual. I see a lot of videos in relation to this machine. Perhaps you could point me to the right one. The main thing I wanted to say way, THANK YOU for being here! I look forward to watching all your videos and reading the many comments. I am sure to learn a lot. Frankly, this machine is probably the best machine I have ever owned. I am so excited!
Hi Donna, What a neat story, and the rain likely delayed others in stopping, and saved this beauty for you - this was meant to be.....How cool is that..! As far as tension adjustments, perhaps I should put an Instructional video together showing the stages of adjusting tension, and I could do it on one of my Singer 503A machines! Glad you found my channel, and enjoy my hundreds of videos on a wide variety of sewing machines from around the world....to include your amazing find....Enjoy!! Good sewing and God Bless, Scott
Page #54 covers this in the Instruction manual, but you will need the sewing foot designed for this task. I'll add a FREE copy of the manual to this video that you can download from my DROPBOX. Good sewing, Scott
I have this sewing machine. It's beautiful. The Singer Rocketeer slant sewing machines are the best that Singer made. The fact that this sewing machine has all metal gears is another big plus. An old Singer sewing machine repair guy told me that if we come across these Rocketeer sewing machines, you can trust it in just about any condition. They are such a durable sewing machine very little goes wrong with them. This Singer repair guy told me he bought each of his daughters this exact model and they still have them. This sewing machine is indeed a heirloom special enough to hand down from one generation to the next.
+Laurieb2851 - A fantastic machine indeed, and one of a select few I would class as heirloom worthy, as well. The all metal gears are evidence of the engineering quality, so I'm not surprised his daughters continue to enjoy them! Interestingly, the Singer 401a can also boast of an all-meal worm gear that transfers power from the motor to the machine drive shaft....a very rare feature among the Singer line. Enjoy your Rocketeer!
CowCountryVintageSewing MachinesAndRestoration I've heard of many people finding them in garage sales & Goodwill stores for $5-10. I do believe those days are gone. People are realizing there really is value, and for good reason. I also have a really nice Elna that my husband bought me when we first got married. That one also has all metal gears and is a sewing machine one might do well to look for. My Elna also has discs for different stitches. I came SO close to acquiring the absolute most deluxe sewing machine cabinet on Craigslist for free. I was too late. Darn, lol!
People are gaining insight into the amazing intrinsic value and historical significance of these mechanical wonders, but it is a slow process. If you were closer, I have several sewing tables I could offer, but trust you will find one eventually. Truthfully, I would sooner see one of these machines sell for pennies, than fall victim to the metal scrapers. Rescuing machines from these sorts is what started me down this road. Thanks for sharing, and if I can be of further service, please let me know. Warm wishes, Scott
+Laurieb2851 i inherited one in a sewing table from my grandmother in law.. With every single disk and accessory. I just love it!!!
***** We will never be able to find a better sewing machine. I was just a kid when these came out. When I got my first job, I couldn't afford these sewing machines. Lucky for us, these sewing machines are going to last forever. I've heard stories of people finding these in garage sales and thrift stores for $10. I found mine on Craigslist for $100 and gave the seller an extra $20 to deliver it to me.I bought a second on the same way for the same price. Both sewing machines were in a cabinet. It was a small price to pay for Singer's best sewing machines ever. I know I've seen these sewing machines at my local thrift store and looked at it and kind of laughed to myself. I didn't realize what they were. Now I do.
I finally found out what my machine is. I bought it in the early 80's for $125. I made payments, it has been a wonderful machine.
You made a wise investment, Bobbi....Fantastic machine....Good sewing always, Scott
OMG I am so happy to find you on Utube! I have always wanted a good sewing machine in a cabinet and amazingly one day while driving home from work in the pouring rain I saw this sewing cabinet next to the dumpster. I stopped and grabbed this and threw it in the trunk. I opened it up when I got home to find the singer 500 Rocketeer inside, still dry. It is missing the swing arm casing in the front of the machine that indicates how to thread the machine. I have looked to replace it but haven't found one at this point. The cabinet was a mess, with all the finish chipping off. I am fine with that. I let everything dry and scraped what I could away. I downloaded the service manual but It doesn't contain a lot of information on running the machine itself. I am having trouble with adjusting the thread tension. Frankly I had this same problem with other machines. I just think I don't really know what I am doing here. I don't want to screw anything up otherwise I would give this machine a major overhaul. I don't think it has been used in years. I did give it a good cleaning and oiled and lubed everything according to the manual. I see a lot of videos in relation to this machine. Perhaps you could point me to the right one. The main thing I wanted to say way, THANK YOU for being here! I look forward to watching all your videos and reading the many comments. I am sure to learn a lot. Frankly, this machine is probably the best machine I have ever owned. I am so excited!
Hi Donna, What a neat story, and the rain likely delayed others in stopping, and saved this beauty for you - this was meant to be.....How cool is that..! As far as tension adjustments, perhaps I should put an Instructional video together showing the stages of adjusting tension, and I could do it on one of my Singer 503A machines! Glad you found my channel, and enjoy my hundreds of videos on a wide variety of sewing machines from around the world....to include your amazing find....Enjoy!! Good sewing and God Bless, Scott
Do you know how to sew buttons with the 503?
Page #54 covers this in the Instruction manual, but you will need the sewing foot designed for this task. I'll add a FREE copy of the manual to this video that you can download from my DROPBOX. Good sewing, Scott