Thread Injector...New vs Old

**Ramblinrev** · 03-08-2011, 17:41

Personal opinion... Kenmore = Sears... I won't buy Sear applliances. YMMV and yes... there is a history there.

**Danalex** · 03-08-2011, 17:52

Ah, ok I won't ask but duly noted.

WV · 03-08-2011, 17:54

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

I like going to the local sewing center and picking the mechainics brain for what they have to offer. IMO it saves money in the long run.

This worked for me. Got a machine that had been totally reconditioned for less than it cost me to have my wife's machine fixed after I broke it.

**islander** · 03-08-2011, 18:27

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

Personal opinion... Kenmore = Sears... I won't buy Sear applliances. YMMV and yes... there is a history there.

I can understand past experiences, but 30+ year old, all metal thread injectors run much the same as many different brands.
Nechhi, Singer, Kenmore, White, Dressmaker, New Home, etc all run and have much the same durability. IMHO

Where's my Oiler bottle...

**Ramblinrev** · 03-08-2011, 18:31

Originally Posted by islander

I can understand past experiences, but 30+ year old, all metal thread injectors run much the same as many different brands.
Nechhi, Singer, Kenmore, White, Dressmaker, New Home, etc all run and have much the same durability. IMHO

Where's my Oiler bottle...

hehehe.. wrongo froggie. In fact it is those machines that I won't touch. Sears was notorious for making proprietary changes to their specs so the _only_ place you could get them fixed was through Sears. Huge bucks for minor parts and shoddy repair work to boot. YMMV but I got burned too many times on too many different products. I like my power tools to work!

Edit: Earlier Kenmores were made by White I believe and later machines were rebranded generic machines of good manufacture. That period of time thou is a problem time in my mind.

**islander** · 03-08-2011, 20:07

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

hehehe.. wrongo froggie. In fact it is those machines that I won't touch. Sears was notorious for making proprietary changes to their specs so the _only_ place you could get them fixed was through Sears. Huge bucks for minor parts and shoddy repair work to boot. YMMV but I got burned too many times on too many different products. I like my power tools to work!

Edit: Earlier Kenmores were made by White I believe and later machines were rebranded generic machines of good manufacture. That period of time thou is a problem time in my mind.

I am sure you have much more experience with these machines, especially over time that I do.
I am basing my opinion on looking at three different units, two Kenmore's & a White. Each were rock solid, and smooth as silk stitching. Well built machines. This was in the past 4-5 months of me shopping. I chose the unit the cleanest and best taken care of.
Long term I have no idea, but each of these machines is 35+ years old, still very strong stitchers.
Again, my observation & $0.02

I'm extremely happy with the used Kenmore Model 52 I picked up.

**Clo-z-nuff** · 03-08-2011, 21:50

For crying out loud you guys! So I read RamblinRev's guidelines again (I read them about a month ago when I had the itch) and I'm thinking he's right. Then I see these beautiful, sexy, older machines you guys are paying pennies for off of Craigslist. wirerat123, that thing is almost as beautiful as my stainless Colt 1911 CCO! What have I turned into!!!

So back to my question. Are these older injectors harder to use than newer, non sexy, electronic, plasticy thingies? As someone who has never used one before, regardless of where I buy it from, should I go with my animal, engineering, instincts and buy some big old heavy peice of art or a new light plastic R2d2 thing?

**Ramblinrev** · 03-08-2011, 22:24

Essentially a sewing machine is a sewing machine. Age really does not make that much of a difference in general use. Specialized machines are a different issue but that's not what you are looking at.

**wirerat123** · 03-09-2011, 00:00

Mine is a breeze to use and maintain. I'm all about some vintage iron! And I love my Necchi!

This has been eating at me for a long time. But I think it'd cost too much to get back in really good working order, but **** is it sexy.
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/atq/2219079319.html

**Clo-z-nuff** · 03-09-2011, 08:07

I'm really partial to the looks of the 300 and 400 series Singers from the late 50's/60's. Those things look military tough. I'm stopping in the local shop today over lunch to take a look.