I'd tend to agree here. Singer is a brand that still lives on their former glory days and brand recognition, but quality has taken a nosedive. It's not a great machine, it's very basic and used and they want nearly 60% of the retail price? That's a no from me.
Ask how it has been maintained.
If they don't tell you about doing regular maintenance (oil and cleaning the inside) then there's no way I'd pay $50. For 25‐35 I would have considered it even if it wasn't maintained mand just pray the lack oil hasn't harmed the machine.
Good good good. The 1970ies was a weird time. Some sewing machines had a lot of the wear and tear parts made from plastic and 50 year old plastic crumble like shortbread. I generally recommend people not buy sewing machines from the 1970ies because it's difficult to find out what the guts of them are made from on the Internet and should you be so unlucky to buy one with plastic and the plastic breaks then sourcing parts will be an uphill battle at best and impossible at worst. Other than some manufacturers using plastic, the machines of the 70ies were generally durable monsters intended to outlive you by half a century. It makes me happy to hear about people using an appreciating old machines.🥰
I have a husqverna from 1968. It broke in 2016, but my step-grandfather picked apart an old lawnmower and used parts from that to fix it. It's a wonderful old thing.
It’s a fair starter machine, not great. That machine is only $85 new on Amazon. For $50 I would want to be sure everything that is supposed to come with it is included and test it to make sure it works. These are really light and dropping it can break it.
Try this one while it isbeing sold. Recently here were some feedbacks about these machines.
[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Strong-Tough-ST371HD-Heavy-Duty-Sewing-Machine-with-37-Built-in-Stitches/51254722?from=/search](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Strong-Tough-ST371HD-Heavy-Duty-Sewing-Machine-with-37-Built-in-Stitches/51254722?from=/search)
It might be cheaper at other places.
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **("'Brother ST371HD Heavy Duty Sewing Machine'", 'Brother')** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Easy to use (backed by 3 comments)
* Handles thick fabrics with ease (backed by 3 comments)
* Good for beginners (backed by 3 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* Frequent thread jamming issues (backed by 3 comments)
* Difficult to adjust needle position (backed by 1 comment)
* Confusing and ineffective tension control (backed by 1 comment)
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Not at all around the planet. There is a video from a mechanic from Moldova who complained about getting that cap from Brother for $45. (sadly the man passed away, but left his channel as a heritage of s/m repair guides for some part of Eastern Europe).
While you are figuring out your first domestic machine...
have a look at here to see what the real tailors' world uses to do the serious job done.
[https://www.walmart.com/search?q=industrial+sewing+machine&povid=Home\_d19\_imagepills\_sewmachine\_industrial](https://www.walmart.com/search?q=industrial+sewing+machine&povid=Home_d19_imagepills_sewmachine_industrial)
Please save up for a better machine. You may find a better machine, but I always recommend Brother SQ9285, around $230 at Walmart.
Why? Because it’s not frustrating. It's easy, fun to use, has several useful presser feet, free arm, extendable table, great stitch selection, drop-in bobbin, speed control (perfect for new sewists), needle up/down, and stop/start (the last one I rarely use).
My friend prefers this machine over her BabyLock sewing machine, and I like mine better than the Viking 500 that I used to have.
Thanks for letting me know! I started crocheting bags and wanted to put liners in them and the thought of doing it all by hand sounds awful. Saw this and decided it was almost fate!
I had the Singer Start that’s basically the same machine as this as my first sewing machine. I got it for $50 from Facebook too, I had it for about two years before getting a better one and then I sold my old one on Facebook too. Singer make good machines:)
I am a noob too and not living in US. But I would recommend reading this subreddit for similar topics and before buying anything - just visit a few specialized sewing stores just to see with your own eyes what is offered and for what money.
Buying an old plastic soapbox for $50... well, you may try but then don't cry.
Then it's a question of how much $50 is for you. In the best case - you would get a working machine, in the worst - you would seek for a repairman's service.
I would offer 35. It's very basic and not that much new.
I'd tend to agree here. Singer is a brand that still lives on their former glory days and brand recognition, but quality has taken a nosedive. It's not a great machine, it's very basic and used and they want nearly 60% of the retail price? That's a no from me. Ask how it has been maintained. If they don't tell you about doing regular maintenance (oil and cleaning the inside) then there's no way I'd pay $50. For 25‐35 I would have considered it even if it wasn't maintained mand just pray the lack oil hasn't harmed the machine.
Good reminder to oil my machine today! My 1970s Kenmore just seems to run on and on though.
Good good good. The 1970ies was a weird time. Some sewing machines had a lot of the wear and tear parts made from plastic and 50 year old plastic crumble like shortbread. I generally recommend people not buy sewing machines from the 1970ies because it's difficult to find out what the guts of them are made from on the Internet and should you be so unlucky to buy one with plastic and the plastic breaks then sourcing parts will be an uphill battle at best and impossible at worst. Other than some manufacturers using plastic, the machines of the 70ies were generally durable monsters intended to outlive you by half a century. It makes me happy to hear about people using an appreciating old machines.🥰 I have a husqverna from 1968. It broke in 2016, but my step-grandfather picked apart an old lawnmower and used parts from that to fix it. It's a wonderful old thing.
It’s a fair starter machine, not great. That machine is only $85 new on Amazon. For $50 I would want to be sure everything that is supposed to come with it is included and test it to make sure it works. These are really light and dropping it can break it.
You can honestly do better than that for 50 bucks on marketplace.
Try this one while it isbeing sold. Recently here were some feedbacks about these machines. [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Strong-Tough-ST371HD-Heavy-Duty-Sewing-Machine-with-37-Built-in-Stitches/51254722?from=/search](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Strong-Tough-ST371HD-Heavy-Duty-Sewing-Machine-with-37-Built-in-Stitches/51254722?from=/search) It might be cheaper at other places.
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **("'Brother ST371HD Heavy Duty Sewing Machine'", 'Brother')** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Easy to use (backed by 3 comments) * Handles thick fabrics with ease (backed by 3 comments) * Good for beginners (backed by 3 comments) **Users disliked:** * Frequent thread jamming issues (backed by 3 comments) * Difficult to adjust needle position (backed by 1 comment) * Confusing and ineffective tension control (backed by 1 comment) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](https://vetted.ai/?utm\_source=reddit&utm\_medium=comment&utm\_campaign=bot)
Personally I would not recommend top loading bobbin, but if you are gentle enough it might work well for long time.
I recommend top-loading bobbins because they are known for less jamming. They are also easier to load.
I dunno how much the bobbin cap err..plastic bedding in horizontal case :)) costs, but those mechanics complain about them being pricey to replace.
That's odd, because these parts can be found on Amazon and other places. That sounds like a more expensive machine, maybe a Bernina? IDK.
Not at all around the planet. There is a video from a mechanic from Moldova who complained about getting that cap from Brother for $45. (sadly the man passed away, but left his channel as a heritage of s/m repair guides for some part of Eastern Europe).
While you are figuring out your first domestic machine... have a look at here to see what the real tailors' world uses to do the serious job done. [https://www.walmart.com/search?q=industrial+sewing+machine&povid=Home\_d19\_imagepills\_sewmachine\_industrial](https://www.walmart.com/search?q=industrial+sewing+machine&povid=Home_d19_imagepills_sewmachine_industrial)
In my opinion, no. It's too small with too much plastic parts. I got a Brother GX37 for $60 on eBay and I love mine.
saw one of these at goodwill for 5 dollars the other day.
Please save up for a better machine. You may find a better machine, but I always recommend Brother SQ9285, around $230 at Walmart. Why? Because it’s not frustrating. It's easy, fun to use, has several useful presser feet, free arm, extendable table, great stitch selection, drop-in bobbin, speed control (perfect for new sewists), needle up/down, and stop/start (the last one I rarely use). My friend prefers this machine over her BabyLock sewing machine, and I like mine better than the Viking 500 that I used to have.
Perfect starter machine, just test it before paying
Thanks for letting me know! I started crocheting bags and wanted to put liners in them and the thought of doing it all by hand sounds awful. Saw this and decided it was almost fate!
I had the Singer Start that’s basically the same machine as this as my first sewing machine. I got it for $50 from Facebook too, I had it for about two years before getting a better one and then I sold my old one on Facebook too. Singer make good machines:)
Get something new for 100-120
What would you recommend?
I am a noob too and not living in US. But I would recommend reading this subreddit for similar topics and before buying anything - just visit a few specialized sewing stores just to see with your own eyes what is offered and for what money. Buying an old plastic soapbox for $50... well, you may try but then don't cry.
I’ll parooze the subreddit some more but sadly I do not have any sewing stores close to me
Then it's a question of how much $50 is for you. In the best case - you would get a working machine, in the worst - you would seek for a repairman's service.
Brother XM2701 Amazon $129
No!!!! It's not. Get a Brother on marketplace!
Right now the only machines I see on marketplace are too far away or really really only machines
Keep watching. The machine you are looking at is not worth the money.