Iceblossom

I was browsing auctions looking for yard art when I saw one for "Sawing Supplies". Turned out to be about 4 boxes of craft supplies and this lovely little hand crank, I just fell in love with it. Spent a whole $27 to win the auction and just got back home from pick up, so this is fresh out of the box and I've barely even played with it yet!

Not in perfect condition, this machine was used -- and still seems to work perfectly, so far as I can tell.

My reading of the serial number is 12 318 188, which should be 1894?? and so far that's all I know.
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...l-numbers.html

pocoellieagain

Oh, you lucky gal!! She looks great for her age.

OurWorkbench

Indeed, great deal and very nice machine. It looks like "Ottoman Carnations" variant for the decals as seen at http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...ic-decals.html

I can't read the serial number in your picture, but it sure looks right that you have an 1894 Vibrating Shuttle No. 3 machine.

There is a parts list for the VS3 at https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...1770/index.htm I don't have a manual for a VS3, but there is a manual for a VS2 at https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...ges/image1.htm As it turns out someone turned it into a pdf that can be found at http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/Singer%20VS...7%20Manual.pdf

The VS3 was pre 28 machine. The thing to note about the early VS2, VS3, 27 and 28 is that it does not have an automatic tension release that the later models had. In other words, when you want to remove the fabric from the machine, you need to press on the spoon shape piece that is under the tension dial.

I recently did a post about wood care at Recently exploring machines...

It doesn't look like that machine needs much cleaning, if any. Maybe just oiling which is shown in the manuals I referred to above.


Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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OurWorkbench

Just a thought, did you tilt the machine and find anything in the base?

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Iceblossom

I opened up the base and found an Altoids tin that had two rather large screws in it... I also looked inside the top and there was nothing in there either. Slipped the tin into the case holder. I did take a shot of the empty base! No dead bugs or anything... (even peeked a bit under the metal -- no love letters)

I did notice it wasn't so easy to get the piece of fabric out from under the needle

It wasn't with the machine but in the boxes of craft supplies there is a printout of the Singer 27 & 28 Instructions -- it is not an exact match, mostly the bobbin winder.

The machine worked smoothly and easily, and has that well cared for oiled smell -- in the pictures of the auction the case looked much more beat up and dingy than it is in real life. I'm thinking the previous owner had this at least serviced, there wasn't anyone at the auction pick-up related to the family so no oral history.

OurWorkbench

Yes, I think my first time I used an early 27, I thought it odd about the thread not pulling easily when I lifted the presser foot. As they say, "When all else fails - read the manual."

I wish I could find an early VS3 manual to verify that the bobbin winder instructions were correct. The print out of the manual you got with the machine was issued later - as the Singer logo is different than the one that would have been used at the time of your machine. I did notice that the manual did at least have the instructions of how "to remove the work."

Hand cranks are fun.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

JoeJr

What a great buy!!