My new baby!

A couple of weeks ago I was browsing on Craigslist for vintage sewing machines and came across a 1961 Singer Slant-O-Matic 503 Special (This machine is called the Rocketeer by collectors, because of it's streamlined shape).  I know I didn't need another sewing machine, but I have been coveting one of these beauties since first seeing a beat up one at a NY flea market.  The price was right and I couldn't resist.  It didn't help that my boyfriend was egging me on, because he likes to see the look on my face when I buy something I have really been wanting.  So you ready to see her... Here is Roxie:

And:

She is in pretty good shape, but was really dusty and needed some intense cleaning.  I took her apart to dust and delint the insides, I oiled everywhere the manual said to and wiped down the outside.  Needless to say, she sews but needs some work that I don't think I can do.  The rubber ring that engages the bobbin winder is disintegrating and needs to be replaced, so I can wind bobbins.  Also, when sewing she will do a great stitch for about 6" then the fabric just stops feeding under the foot and the top thread breaks.  I haven't figured out what this is yet, I was getting really frustrated with this and gave up.  I want to go back in to see if when I took apart the bobbin casing and face plate to clean underneath (boy, there was some serious lint trapped in there), I may have put it back together incorrectly.  I just want to sew with her, but I want to make sure she is up for it.  More to come about my other sewing machine babies...

Comments

[Tami]

Ah very cool machine. I've just been looking around the web for info about the Rocketeer and came across your blog. If you're looking for parts, I also found a source for Slant-o-matic parts here:

http://www.tandtrepair.com/SlantOMatics.html

Now I have to keep checking ebay to see if any come up. I don't really need another machine and I'll run out of room soon. But this is so calling my name. Now what I mean? Anyway, congrats on your find!