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Friday, January 16, 2015

Necchi BU Nova

I picked this up last night from a seller with a need to empty his storage unit.  I was more than happy to help.  For $50, I'm easy.







These BU Novas are pretty commonly found in my area.  They're a very cool zig-zag machine, this one with a 1.1 amp motor.  The articulated lamp and integrated cabinet with slide-in chair are what caught my eye as well as the machine's overall very good condition.

The cabinet will have to be completely refinished (after all the candle wax is peeled off -- they used the cabinet as a candle holder).  The seller didn't realize the machine was equipped with a knee pedal and priced the machine as if it had no pedal.  I pointed this out and he laughed and it didn't matter.
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11 comments:

  1. Thin Man SewingJanuary 17, 2015 at 6:40 AM

    The cabinet that looks like a dresser is cute. I have a Necchi BU portable. I can't believe how smooth and quiet it is. However, I don't use it much because I need a crane to lift it. LOL.

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  2. MouseJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    I like these Necchis because they have so little vibration that I believe they would be ideal for a case except as you say, they're very heavy. At least they don't move around while they sew. This machine would be a good candidate for a spring-mounted lift in a table.

    One of the side benefits of buying these machines is having to brush up (literally) my wood refinishing skills. I really like these cabinets with the integrated chair and the chair was filled with all kinds of original Necchi accessories such as presser feet, etc.

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  3. Janet SzaboJanuary 29, 2015 at 8:45 AM

    Just ran across your blog. I have a Necchi BF that I love and adore. It is my favorite vintage machine (I have 15 or 16 of them, mostly Singers), although I would like to have one that also does ZZ. Am on the lookout for a BU or a Supernova. They don't come up very often in my area of the country. My BF happened to have belonged to a seamstress and was handed down in her family to people who didn't sew. I had to rewire it before I could use it, but it still has the original motor.

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  4. MouseJanuary 30, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Hi, Janet -- welcome! I've wanted a BF for quite a while, just to have one. I have the BF Supernova but it's rather different from the BF and has some quirks I don't like. I do have a BC, though. Very nice machine.

    While you continue your search for a BU (BU/Nova/Mira/Supernova) and if you find yourself really needing a zig-zag, a 1960s or '70s Kenmore is tough to beat, especially for the price. I've found them for free or almost free and they sew better than many vaunted brands -- including perhaps Necchi in some cases.

    Good luck in your search and please stop by again. :)

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  5. Janet SzaboJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    Actually, I have a Kenmore 158.1400 that is an absolute tank, but I leave it set up mostly to mend my husband's work pants and other things that he gives me to fix. It's a great machine. I really fell hard for that Necchi, though. I also have a Singer 223 that has the most beautiful ZZ stitch (and blind hem stitch). The problem is that, at the moment, I don't have room to have all my machines set up. The Necchi is out, in a cabinet, and I use it the most. I quilt, and the Necchi--and my Featherweight—are my best piecing machines. So I don't really *need* a BU, but that hasn't kept me from looking. As you know, it's kind of an addiction. :) I am like you; I am trying to avoid "pound puppy syndrome" and limiting my purchases to really high-quality machines instead of bringing home every machine I find, although I do enjoy tinkering with them and getting them back into usable condition.

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  6. JohnApril 6, 2016 at 5:33 AM

    After my post this past weekend saying I do not ever seem to find older Necchis "in the wild," I found a BU Nova in a plastic case at a local GW for $15. It is in rough shape: no attachments/manual, the paint on the bed 'alligatoring', the wiring suspect, and, of course, super filthy. I passed on it, but after reading that paint problems seem to be standard with older Necchis, I may reconsider. Is a Necchi rewire about the same as a Singer "potted" motor rewire?

    Thanks,
    John Thomas in NC

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    Replies
    1. MouseApril 6, 2016 at 8:50 AM

      Much easier, particularly on the BU Nova. The potted motors are somewhat notorious to refurbish (there are good tutorials online, particularly the vssmb.blogspot.com site) but are do-able with the right materials and some patience. Necchis became a lot more complicated in the 1960s. They're beautifully engineered but sometimes require quite a tear-down in order to get to a problem. The BU Nova is fairly simple and a motor re-wire isn't bad at all. Make sure you buy the right gauge wire and get a good set of wire trimmers. I use a pair of Stripmaster by Ideal -- the best. Have fun!! They're great machines.

      Delete
  7. UnknownJuly 18, 2016 at 11:07 PM

    Ever want to sell it please let me know. I live in Houston, and I can't find any. 7132139727.

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    Replies
    1. MouseJuly 19, 2016 at 6:36 AM

      From Seattle, shipping would be really, really expensive! Have you tried looking in other cities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, etc.? There must be Necchis somewhere around there...

      Delete
    2. MouseJuly 19, 2016 at 6:40 AM

      Daniel, here's one in Austin:

      http://austin.craigslist.org/for/5676625732.html

      And a really nice one at a great price in Amarillo:

      http://amarillo.craigslist.org/clt/5655066418.html

      Delete
  8. UnknownMarch 19, 2017 at 1:43 AM

    Wow this is in such nice condition. I'd definitely pay shipping to get one that nice. Have you run into any more in your area? Would be happy to pay for cost and shipping.

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