To be honest, I think I got the better end of the deal.
I actually did have a Viking 150 from the 1980s but it was missing a power cord/controller and a proprietary bobbin case and I could never test it, so I re-thrifted it. Janet is a bit of a mind-reader because this is a model I've wanted for a while but had never found at a reasonable price. She found this machine at a local Goodwill store.
The machine is smooth, strong, and fast. At 1.5 amps, it has enough power to sew through multiple layers of heavy material and I've tested it on 8 layers of denim as well as swatches of suede. It's an excellent stitcher and the machine makes a satisfyingly low humming sound. The feed is remarkably even and one reason is that the feed dogs are both aggressive and surround the needle in front, rear, and the sides.
One thing I really like about this machine is the size of the free arm: it's narrower than some of the other such machines I own, meaning that it will be my go-to when I need to sew small items or in-the-round such as on a shirt cuff. The extension is long and is supported by a pop-down leg and has enough curvature that material will easily feed under the needle from below -- again, a better design than the flatter extensions on other machines.
A feature I'm not used to is the permanently engaged bobbin winding mechanism. Nonetheless, the 'Automatic' moniker probably refers to the disengaged clutch upon insertion of a bobbin on the post for winding. Once the bobbin is removed, the clutch is then engaged automatically rather than the user having to deal with a clutch knob.
Another interesting design is that this machine takes cams but the cams are akin to small cam stacks rather than individual stitch patterns or pairs of patterns found on so many other machines. A sliding mechanism on the needle position knob selects stitches 1 - 5 of stacks A, B, or C, whichever of these stacks is inserted into the back of the machine behind the door. (This machine arrived with stack A. I will be searching for the other two.)
There's a lot to like here and I love the '50s design, too. And it's my favorite sewing machine color: green! As I get to know the machine, I'll continue to write about it. This is a keeper -- one I'd like to use rather than put on a shelf to admire, pretty though it certainly is.
So thank you once again, Janet. You found another great machine and I couldn't be happier.
I think this is one of those instances where "better end of the deal" is really really subjective. You and I have completely different goals when it comes to acquiring sewing machines. You like to find really nice examples of lots of different machines, shine them up, put them through their paces, and drill down to find what makes each of them unique. I like to buy $5 pigeon poop-encrusted machines destined for the landfill and see if I can make them pretty and get them to sew again. I don't think either of those goals is inherently better or worse than the other (which is why I have to tiptoe around judgy sewing machine forums) and in fact, it lets me get a taste of what it's like to find and buy machines that I really have no desire to keep, because I know that you've got some that you would like to move out of your collection that I can trade you for. I am quite partial to those Rocketeers now that I have sewn on them. It's a win-win for both of us and the bonus is getting to have a delicious lunch together. :)
ReplyDeleteFor myself, the main event was lunch and the bonus was the exchange ... but who's counting? :D I agree with you and I'd even go as far to say that our different goals aren't (or need not be) mutually exclusive and, as you've stated so well, complement one another. I can be on the lookout for Rocketeers while your antennae will detect Teutonic zig-zags. And I will readily admit that I've been taking a closer look at some older, rusted Singers lately thanks to your influence. I'm looking for a machine to attempt to paint. Pigeon poop begone!
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