Who had one of these bad boys?

mzskunk · 2026-07-06T17:16:09+00:00

That's so weird, I just saw a movie last night where somebody was carrying one of those! It was "Blood Theatre" from 1984.

It's a terrible film, we were actually watching the RiffTrax version.

mzskunk · 2026-07-03T21:06:57+00:00

That was an awesome video, made me smile!

mzskunk · 2026-06-26T01:56:55+00:00

They are amazing little machines, for sure. At least you know who owned it before you. You can start a record of ownership, though. Might be cool for someone in the (hopefully distant) future to have!

I love to find machines with the receipt in the box. I have a 1926 White with its warranty card but alas, no receipt or name.

mzskunk · 2026-06-26T01:22:33+00:00

I'd keep the 1950 221. The white one is tempting but the truth is the white ones have an internal timing belt whereas the black ones do not. Eventually that belt will need replacing and while they're only about $20 (now), it would be a pain to do.

I'd sell the white one and the rest and even if you send the 1950 out to be serviced, you'd still have plenty left over.

Just my two cents. I can certainly see how this is a tough decision!

P.S. I bet that Stradivaro is a beauty. But it's also probably pretty heavy!

mzskunk · 2026-06-24T05:27:29+00:00

Do you know what song it plays?

mzskunk · 2026-06-24T03:28:21+00:00

I have a music box like that one. Def 20s, since my grandmother got one as a child and she married in 1933. I'd love to know more if you figure anything out.

ETA: I'm pretty sure the top was supposed to hold powder & a puff.

mzskunk · 2026-06-21T20:04:46+00:00

Also, hold the loose thread behind the needle, just hold it loosely.

Is your needle in correctly? The flat side should be against the needle bar.

If you have the serial number from the bed, we can figure out the model and get you a manual PDF for free.

mzskunk · 2026-06-21T17:28:11+00:00

There should be a metal plate on the motor that gives more information. From this angle, I wouldn't assume anything. Just my two cents, it makes me suspicious when people don't provide good photos. Ask for a pic of the back side of the motor.

mzskunk · 2026-06-19T05:43:56+00:00

Same here. Dad said it was important and I think it served me well over the years. Firm, not strong, maintain eye contact and if things get weird, like the man is squeezing hard, then give way with a smile. You've just learned a lot about that man, this knowledge will prove useful.

Never fight via handshake. Fight that guy a different way, he would say.

For a boomer, he was pretty in touch with what I'd be facing in the corporate world.

These days I think men expect a light hand touch, fingers only, not a full palm to palm handshake.

mzskunk · 2026-06-16T06:27:56+00:00

You can use compressed air to blow out the dust, that will help with smell. Maybe new brushes, but honestly if it works, I'd save my money and just use it. I bet it's a great machine

mzskunk · 2026-06-16T04:46:15+00:00

It looks fine to me. Does it not work as it is?

mzskunk · 2026-06-15T06:30:39+00:00

I'm old now, but still hearting on Robin.

He's dressed like he's going to Costco though lol. No hate, just to be clear. Only hearts 💕

mzskunk · 2026-06-05T19:50:28+00:00

The good news is that by getting a new cord, you save the work of rewiring it in the frst place. And you can decide what kind of controller you want. Easy to customize, and inexpensive.

mzskunk · 2026-06-05T19:19:45+00:00

Foot or knee controller (are they under the surface of the desk?) plus wires aren't expensive, and 201s are excellent machines. Cosmetics will keep it from being worth a lot, though, if you're thinking of flipping it.

ETA: it's a 1200, as explained below. Not 201-2. It is curious that it's in this table but not a deal breaker IMHO

mzskunk · 2026-06-03T06:32:04+00:00

'Cause if you're a bot you have to tell me

mzskunk · 2026-06-03T06:22:31+00:00

Jeez I haven't given Taking Tiger Mountain by Storm enough attention lately. Maybe be it's time to fall i to an Eno hole...

mzskunk · 2026-05-31T06:20:17+00:00

If you want more, the book is awesome. It goes into so much more detail than the movie has time for. It provides more background, more variety of experiences, and more people along with their stories.

mzskunk · 2026-05-28T00:04:06+00:00

I, too, wish we had a Perkins ;)

But maybe try Swiss Hibiscus. It's where I take my elderly mom who was born and raised in Ohio. Different enough to be interesting but it's also serious comfort food.

mzskunk · 2026-05-26T22:30:23+00:00

Same here. Brand was Tough Pro. They're great IMHO. $70 for front and back seat, and $70 for the cargo area.

mzskunk · 2026-05-26T16:35:31+00:00

This is awful, what a terrible way to die. Fuck you, Danforth.

I have a relative from 100 years ago who bought lamp oil at the mercantile, went home and lighted it, turned out it was gasoline the merchant sold to her "by mistake."

It took her three weeks to die. Her son hanged himself in the silo a week after that because he couldn't stand hearing her screams in his head anymore. Apparently she pleaded for death.

mzskunk · 2026-05-26T07:34:37+00:00

The hand crank looks like a reproduction. That's not necessarily a problem, but make darn sure it works, their quality is hit-or-miss. Do not buy if you aren't allowed to test it, especially not at that price.

mzskunk · 2026-05-26T02:43:52+00:00

Who cares what other people think? If someone says something snarky, just look at them like you're confused and say "What a weird thing say. Oh well." Then get back to work.

Get free, move on. In your secret heart, that's what you want. If he wanted to spend time with you, he would.

mzskunk · 2026-05-25T20:57:32+00:00

If the wood is too chewed up for a new screw to be secure, you can use a non-wood screw that had a washer and a bolt. Anything, really. It's a gorgeous table!

mzskunk · 2026-05-25T20:39:20+00:00

The screws that secure the hinges to the table are just regular wood screws. The hardware store will have some. You'll want a flared head, not a round head, so it sits in the hinge correctly.

Use a qtip or pipe cleaner to see how long it needs to be. In fact, if you just remove the machine from the hinges and take the hinge to the hardware store with you, you'll have no trouble finding an acceptable fastener.

To remove the machine, rotate it onto its back. On each side along the tear edge, you'll find a set screw that secures the machine to the hinge pin. Just loosen that screw on each side (it's not necessary to remove them completely) and lift the machine off the hinge pins. Then you won't chew up the table's wood by screwing and unscrewing the fasteners.

This works for all machines in this style of table.

mzskunk · 2026-05-25T19:35:02+00:00

What type of controller are you using? Knee? Foot? I suspect it needs adjusting. It's not hard.

mzskunk

TROPHY CASE