Elna Supermatic
Olwyn.Mary
lovely thing; judging by the lines of it I'd say late 1960s or early
70s, and in a beautiful blond oak cabinet in excellent condition. At
first they were asking $299, then $199, then last Friday it was down to
$74.99. It has a good number of built-in stitches, plus extra cams for
several more. I plugged it into a nearby outlet, and it seems to run
very smoothly. HOWEVER, I already have two perfectly good mechanical
machines, both portable. I would have to do a MAJOR rearrange of my
studio to make room for it, and, most important, I couldn't get it
upstairs anyway. That thing is HEAVY. Would take six men and a boy to
get it upstairs, and all we have around here is me and the elderly gent
to whom I happen to be married. No sturdy sons or inlaws (one in
Calif., one in Cambs.) Result? I heaved a deep sigh and still left it
there.
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.
betsey
> Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.
I feel your pain....
BEI Design
> That thing is HEAVY. Would take six men and a boy to get
> it upstairs, and all
> we have around here is me and the elderly gent to whom I
> happen to be married. No sturdy sons or inlaws (one in
> Calif., one in Cambs.) Result? I heaved a deep sigh and
> still left it there.
> Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.
Oh, dear! Maybe you could find a local Senior Center in
desperate need of a good machine? Or a young neighbor who
want to learn but has no equipment? A quilting group? Your
local school? SOMEONE???
--
Beverly
http://ickes.us/default.aspx
Olwyn.Mary
The only other problem I saw with this machine is how to remove the
bobbin. The manual (yes, it is there) says to use the special tool, but
no tools were available. If I wanted it, I would do some serious
research on it, but, as it is.....................................
Kate XXXXXX
The little tool thing is nice but not strictly necessary. On one of my
Elnas I just use the Mk I Thumbnail.
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
Ron Anderson
"Olwyn.Mary" <Olwy...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:i0bqh3$edo$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
The tool is built onto the machine. A springy deal behind the presser foot
pulls down and fits in the hole in the bobbin.
--
Ron Anderson A1 Sewing Machine
18 Dingman Rd Sand Lake, NY 12153
http://www.a1sewingmachine.com
Olwyn.Mary
cover plate. My trusty thumbnail wouldn't move it, so I figured I might
need a screwdriver or some other tool to lever it up.
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans
Ron Anderson
"Olwyn.Mary" <Olwy...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:i0d5vi$log$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
That just rocks (tilts) up it does not slide like on most. Inside up.
Olwyn.Mary
Thanks, Ron. Now, I am going to have to stop by the thrift store on my
rounds today, and see if it is still there. (Still not going to buy it
- I Think.)
Betsy
> Ron Anderson wrote:
>> "Olwyn.Mary" <Olwy...@aol.com> wrote in message
>> news:i0d5vi$log$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>>
>>> Ron Anderson wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Olwyn.Mary" <Olwy...@aol.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:i0bqh3$edo$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 6/28/2010 5:56 PM, BEI Design wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Olwyn.Mary wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> That thing is HEAVY. Would take six men and a boy to get
>>>>>>> it upstairs, and all
I lucked out and picked up an elna at Salvation Army for $50.00 some
months ago. I love it. I'm using it more than any other machine. It
came with lots of bobbins, spools of thread and other sewing supplies in
the cabinet. In order to get it in the house and up the stairs, I took
the machine out of the case, took the drawers out and took out the
spool storage section in the back. If you do this, it should minimize
the number of helpers you will need.
--Betsy
Pogonip
>
> The tool is built onto the machine. A springy deal behind the presser foot
> pulls down and fits in the hole in the bobbin.
>
Ron, we just love it when you talk that tech-talk that you do so well. ;-)
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/
Ron Anderson
"Pogonip" <nob...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:4c2a803e$1...@news.bnb-lp.com...
Thank you. Love to do it. The opportunities are diminishing here as the
years go by. 10-15 years ago I was a busy boy.
Pogonip
> "Pogonip" <nob...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
> news:4c2a803e$1...@news.bnb-lp.com...
>> Ron Anderson wrote:
>>> The tool is built onto the machine. A springy deal behind the presser
>>> foot pulls down and fits in the hole in the bobbin.
>>>
>> Ron, we just love it when you talk that tech-talk that you do so well.
>> ;-)
>> --
>
> years go by. 10-15 years ago I was a busy boy.
>
It seems to be cyclical, and there may be a renaissance in the offing.
I am noticing more magazines on the racks, more TV shows, more blogs
dealing with home sewing and quiltmaking. I hope it increases your
business. I also notice that more people seem to be interested in the
older, mechanical machines or newer equivalents. Like our computers,
the new computer-driven machines don't hold up as well, and don't lend
themselves to repairs when the parts are obsolete. Or never were
available to begin with.
Ron Anderson
"Pogonip" <nob...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:4c2b9385$1...@news.bnb-lp.com...
I was referring just to the traffic on the news group. Years ago it seems
like there were more people and a lot more new people coming by.
While business is slow it is not all that bad. More, I think, a function of
the Economy than a lack of interest.
Pogonip
>
> I was referring just to the traffic on the news group. Years ago it seems
> like there were more people and a lot more new people coming by.
> While business is slow it is not all that bad. More, I think, a function of
> the Economy than a lack of interest.
>
Ahh, the newsgroups, Usenet, is being driven out of existence by strange
laws and internet providers deciding to drop the news readers from from
their service. Most of us now get our news groups through specialized
services which is easy enough to do, but which has scared off many, if
not most, of the people who used to be here. Look how many who are here
are using Google, thinking that these are "groups." Meanwhile, Yahoo
groups are growing and people are turning there, where there is
moderation. Take a look at the Yahoo groups for various kinds of
sewing. There are many!
Ron Anderson
"Pogonip" <nob...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:4c2c...@news.bnb-lp.com...
Yes I am aware of Yahoo groups. I just do not have the time to visit a
thousand groups, one for every imaginable thing. Signed on to the We fix it
deal but so unorganized and well everyone is an authority and way to much
off topic stuff.
Samantha Hill
> Been watching this machine in the local thrift store. It seems to be a
> lovely thing; judging by the lines of it I'd say late 1960s or early
> 70s, and in a beautiful blond oak cabinet in excellent condition. At
> first they were asking $299, then $199, then last Friday it was down to
> $74.99. It has a good number of built-in stitches, plus extra cams for
> several more.
Nice machine! My condolences on your loss. :)
Olwyn.Mary
Last week I lost a crown off a tooth. No pain, so the dentist said to
come in Tuesday. Got there, sat down, he looked at it and said
"Uh-oh!". Oh dear. Apparently the root itself had cracked, way down in
the jawbone. So, lots of anasthetic shots in the cheek and the jaw,
then about an hour with the dental equivalent of jackhammer, prybar and
hammer and chisel, he got all of it out, put in stitches, and sent me
off with a prescription for powerful pain pills and instructions to call
if I had further problems. I think the prybar part was the worst, after
the shots, that is. Getting the bar behind a piece of tooth, then
rocking back and forth to try to loosen it. Aaaaagh. No pain at the
time, just pressure, but Hooboy did I suffer later. Wednesday was our
day to go to the primary care doctor - the one who holds the reins and
coordnatres everything, and on the way home I asked dh to stop by the
thrift store. Mind you, I was still in agony.
At first, I thought it had been sold, it wasn't where it had been.
However, wandering around the store I found it, moved to a different
spot. Still labelled $299.95, crossed out, then $199.95, crossed out
then $74.95. I told them the going price for an old sewing machine was
$40, so the manager said I coud have it for $50. I bought it. That is
my "lollipop" for being a good girl at the dentist. I'll tell you all
about the machine itself in a different post, as this is already way too
long.
BEI Design
Aaaaagh. No pain at the time, just pressure, but
> Hooboy did I suffer later. Wednesday was our day to go
> to the primary care doctor - the one who holds the reins
> and coordnatres everything, and on the way home I asked
> dh to stop by the thrift store. Mind you, I was still in
> agony.
Aaaauuugh! ((((Olwyn Mary))))
I
> told them the going price for an old sewing machine was
> $40, so the manager said I coud have it for $50. I
> bought it. That is my "lollipop" for being a good girl
> at the dentist. I'll tell you all about the machine
> itself in a different post, as this is already way too
> long.
Yay! No one could possibly object to your having a nice
reward for enduring the prybar. Have fun with it. As I
recall getting it to your sewing room was an issue, I hope
you are able to resolve that.
--
Beverly
http://ickes.us/default.aspx
Kate XXXXXX
Himself has got me one of my all-time favourite cook books as a little
prezzie for nothing much. It's been out of print for years. Every now
and again, a lollipop takes the pain away!
Olwyn.Mary
info. Likewise, thank you Betsy for telling me how to get it upstairs.
The shop took the machine out of the desk and put everything in the
car for us; across the street we have a young man neighbor who spends a
lot of time on the road on business, so I have a complete set of his
keys (including his cars), we take in packages for him etc., and he does
heavy lifting for us on occasion. After the drawers and the machine
were taken out of the cabinet, he just lifted that thing out of the car,
up over his head and carried it upstairs!! Oh, to be young and tough!!
I don't know the machine's exact age, but it came with the manual plus a
small stitching sample and a note that the other half was retained at
the factory. It is all labelled "made in Switzerland". For those who
are interested in such things, the serial # is 086703. It does a
beautiful straight stitch, and the built-ins are all excellent.
However, it has double cams (discs) for some embroidery stitches which I
have not yet been able to get to work. Either I have to study the
manual some more, or perhaps find another workbook. Are there any such
things, Ron? I hope so, as there are cams for flowers, eyelets, little
ducklings all in a row, etc., and I would like to try them.
Incidentally, the extender tables were on the wrong way round. The
wider top was on the right and the narrower on the left. I can only
assume the original owner wanted it that way. This machine has
apparently been well used, judging by very slightly worn paintwork on
various edges, but it has also been very well loved. Totally clean
inside and out.
Got to go take some more pain pills, and will hope to have another play
with it tomorrow.
Olwyn.Mary
> Got to go take some more pain pills, and will hope to have another play
> with it tomorrow.
>
> Olwyn Mary in New Orleans
I forgot to mention. Dentist prescribed me two days worth of pain pills
and said to call if I needed more. Thursday I was still in agony, so
called him. The upshot was, although the cavity is healing just fine on
top, there is an infection deep down, so I am now on heavy-duty
antibiotics as well as pain pills. Hopefully, I will be compos mentis
again in a few more days, but at present I am definitely not "all there".
Kate XXXXXX
Oh, poo! Sending healing vibes for the teefs and compost mental vibes
for the thinking engine, and a speedy recovery so you can play with your
new toy. I have to say that the innards and the beautiful engineering
of the Swiss built Elnas is one of their best points. My three little
Lotus machines are as pretty on the inside as the OUTSIDE of others!
All the metal casing polished smooth. :)
Juno B
Dear Olwyn Mary,
Get well soon. You have had a terrible ordeal with all that dental
surgery. Nothing is worse than having mouth pain. Just keep thinking all
the good thoughts about your lovely "new" machine.
Juno
Ron Anderson
"Olwyn.Mary" <Olwy...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:i0ov89$hkc$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
There would be only the original manual. I am sure that info is in there.
Olwyn.Mary
Olwyn.Mary
did you need a new copy?
Olwyn.Mary
Olwyn.Mary
> "Olwyn.Mary" <Olwy...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:i0ov89$hkc$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>>Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ron, for all the snippets of useful info.
>>
>>I don't know the machine's exact age, but it came with the manual plus a
>>small stitching sample and a note that the other half was retained at the
>>factory. It is all labelled "made in Switzerland". For those who are
>>interested in such things, the serial # is 086703. It does a beautiful
>>straight stitch, and the built-ins are all excellent. However, it has
>>double cams (discs) for some embroidery stitches which I have not yet been
>>able to get to work. Either I have to study the manual some more, or
>>perhaps find another workbook. Are there any such things, Ron? I hope
>>so, as there are cams for flowers, eyelets, little ducklings all in a row,
>>etc., and I would like to try them.
>>
>>Got to go take some more pain pills, and will hope to have another play
>>with it tomorrow.
>>
>>Olwyn Mary in New Orleans
>
>
> There would be only the original manual. I am sure that info is in there.
Thank you, Ron. I have now gone through the manual line by line,
testing everything, and have posted the results under a new heading.
rebeljane
rebeljane wrote:
BEI Design wrote:
> Olwyn.Mary wrote:
>> That thing is HEAVY. Would take six men and a boy to get
>> it upstairs, and all
>> we have around here is me and the elderly gent to whom I
>> happen to be married. No sturdy sons or inlaws (one in
>> Calif., one in Cambs.) Result? I heaved a deep sigh and
>> still left it there.
>> Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.
> Oh, dear! Maybe you could find a local Senior Center in
> desperate need of a good machine? Or a young neighbor who
> want to learn but has no equipment? A quilting group? Your
> local school? SOMEONE???
-------------------------------------
I would have moved heaven and earth to purchase the machine as Elnas are
just wonderful to use
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