Adler 187

Here's an interesting machine I picked up yesterday.

This is an Adler 187 made in W. Germany in the early 1950s.  I haven't done any research on this machine except glancing at a blog or two, so here goes:

Adler made these machines for only 3 years, 1950 - '52.  From what little I've been able to find out about it, I wouldn't classify this as a rare model; however, it's not common and parts can be difficult to find.  It's a zig-zag, which surprised me when I had a chance to see it in person.  From pictures I'd seen months ago (and the machine was in the distance in the ad for this machine), I assumed it was a straight-stitch, as most of the controls are in the bottom right and all I really saw is the vertical length lever.  Seeing it for the first time, I immediately thought of the Necchi BC with a bit of Singer 15 thrown in due to the tension/thread take-up on the nose plate.

It's heavy and heavy duty.  Most interestingly, this machine is built to run clockwise rather than the standard counterclockwise.  This means that the motor and shaft (which turn sympathetically like any belted machine) turn in the opposite direction of all other machines I own except rotaries which are friction-driven, the motor and shaft turning toward one another.  Odd.  The wiring is bad on this machine and must be replaced, so regardless of direction, it won't be turning except by hand in the near future.

Another interesting feature is the bobbin case/hook/race assembly.  The bobbins themselves are flatter than most, as is the case and are placed in a clam shell style housing whose door is then snapped shut which puts the bobbin into position respective to the needle.  In watching the movement, the distance between the needle and hook appear to be constant and thus the amplitude of the needle appears to be the diameter of the hook travel circumference, though I'm not certain.  

It came with a carrying case (not in good shape), a box of attachments (feet, bobbins, straight-stitch plate, manual, Adler oil can, guide/screw, etc.).

It also came with a rather cool mid-century style cabinet that is original with the machine, complete with both knee and foot pedals:

I did have to clean the machine pretty thoroughly, even a preliminary cleaning just to take decent pictures.  It was covered in an oil haze that resembled shellac and some of it was very difficult to remove.  I had to resort to the Necchi Solution: 90% kerosene, 10% sewing machine oil and I used very fine steel wool, a toothbrush, rags, etc.

For $40, I believe this was a good deal.  It needs work but my first impression is that this is a very well-made, heavy duty machine.  Looking underneath and seeing the various shafts and pins, this may very well be a semi-industrial machine, though it's small for anything other than domestic use.   

(Sorry for the lackluster pictures.  I'm getting used to my new cameras and have just cracked open the manuals.)