Elna Supermatic

A watershed in sewing machine innovation, the Elna Supermatic is a core component of any collection.  I've owned this machine for just a few days and despite two issues that are eminently fixable, this Supermatic has won a place of honor in my house.

This is an example of the two-toned models that were several years later than the all-green Supermatic -- the Elna 2 -- that followed the Grasshopper model, the Elna 1.  Despite its obvious vintage look and appeal, it's quite a modern machine in that it takes single- and double-layered cams in a clever mechanism whereupon the following arms adjust for both length and width, a remarkable innovation in the 1950s.  There is no food pedal; rather, the machine is operated via knee bar and the light switch is not an interlock, allowing for operation without the use of the built-in light.

The bobbin/needle area is interesting.  There is no bobbin case for the drop-in design: just drop it in under the door behind the needle, threading upwards to the needle.  A low shank design, feet and other attachments are easily and inexpensively found.  Feed dogs surround the needle area, so the feed is unusually steady.

The tension dial is above and slightly left of the needle area, as the thread path is from behind.  Not only does the 1 - 9 dial offer a lot of variation in tension, the discs are large so that surface area provides superior tension control on all types of threads.

There are controls for needle position, width, length, etc. and an Automatic setting for buttonhole sewing.  My machine has two issues: the small knob on the end of the width lever has snapped off and the seller kept the knob; also, the needle clamp is hitting the edge of the nose plate door in the widest zig-zag setting.  The first problem involves repairing with the old knob or finding a replacement part -- easy.  I haven't figure out what is causing the second issue.  It doesn't appear to be timing but rather an alignment adjustment.  I'm guessing the home position of the needle bar has vibrated out of alignment over the years and a screw needs tightening.

The machine runs like a top.  It was extremely dirty but I've mostly cleaned in up on the outside and am in the process of getting the insides in better shape.  The smoothness and low humming sound it makes is such a pleasure, particularly at the speeds it achieves.  (Rotary hook, natch.)

I love this machine and am looking forward to adding more Supermatics to the collection.
 

Elna 3 Flat Bed Straight Stitch

I'd like you to meet Smellna, a recent arrival.

This machine wafted into my life, my heart, and my nostrils -- not in that order -- after a long trip in a driving rain storm.  (The rain was driven and I was driving.)  Although not far for a sewing machine, the trip was arduous and thus all the more lengthy.  Ghost Riders on the Storm was perhaps my metaphysical soundtrack that day as I met not only the Man With No Name but the Seller With No Clue.  He was friendly but the hopes of what was to be a 4-machine sale were quickly dashed -- only one machine included the power cord and pedal despite the ad's assurance that all of these machines 'power up and run.'  Ah, well.  My Husqvarna Viking ship will sail into my harbor another day.

Undeterred, he proudly pulled a beat Emdeko case out of his car and placed it on the trunk, rain still pouring.  (I'm soaked right down to my underwear at this point and yes, I was wearing a coat.)  Uncovering a machine whose fragrance no rain or outdoor air could possibly mitigate, raindrops formed rivulets into all port and openings, watering the case's crop of mildew to a bloom I could barely stand on the way home.  I bought it partly out of not wanting to come home empty-handed and partly because the machine intrigued me.  It still does.

The seller purchased it at a Washington State surplus dealer.  Though I'm not certain, this machine was possibly among a fleet of machines used in home economics courses taught in various education institutions (likely discontinued in favor of more useful skills such as analysis of rap lyrics).   

Collectors, take note: this is potentially quite the treasure trove if one knows where to buy.   

That my state's educators would choose such a machine slightly raises my rather low expectations of them: a student being exposed to a useful skill utilizing a tool chosen for its quality and longevity rather than price or insider contract on the public dime?  Be still my olfactory.  (Yes, Smellna stinks.)

The machine is a straight stitch only with reverse and is capable of sewing with a double needle.  With a friction drive rather than via belt or gear from the motor (although a cleated nylon belt connects both the lower and upper drive shafts, thus controlling the hook), this model is essentially a glorified rotary.  True to Elna engineering, it's fast and powerful.  Unfortunately, a friction pulley flattens as does a tire, causing a clunking or whining or pounding or any of the above and Smellna is likely the noisiest domestic machine I've ever run.  

I managed to extract the leftmost spool pin from the cover, as it was rusted/grimed into its Down position.  This took one day of kerosene drops at regular intervals, then pliers over a silicone hot pad and muscle, turning slightly, then pulling straight out.  I polished with Maas and it's now smooth.  

Other issues:

• Needs rewiring from the plug to pedal.  I plugged it in to run it but not for long as this is really not safe.  I'm out of 18g so off to the big box I go.
• Bobbin plate has a loose screw.  (Don't we all?)  Fixing requires unscrewing the entire lower casing -- something I haven't had time to do.  
• Bobbin winder is inoperable.  It has a few parts missing and I'm not certain what they are.  One is a spring.
• I need to pull the motor and clean the brushes of carbon, polish the commutator, and test for SPM.  It's a fast machine but I sense it's not at top speed.

Despite the reek and the questionable provenance, I like this machine very much.  A prime candidate for finishing school, Smellna has a simple charm and power all its own.  Time is all we need.  For just $10, this experience has been a silver lining.