Watch Out For Fake Singer Sewing Machines
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I had no idea there were fake Singer sewing machines on the market. However, many fakes were made. These knock offs are called vintage reproduction machines and are of less build quality than the real thing.
Common problems with fake Singer sewing machines.
Reproduction machines often make very loud noise due to ill fitting internal parts. Also, many of the electric models have poor speed control.
Here’s how to identify a fake.
The first thing you want to do is look for any decals on the machine. Then, you will need to visit ISMACs to figure out the name of your decal. Once you find out the name of the decal, you can search google images for other machines like yours. Look carefully to see if all functions and features of the original sewing machine match yours.
For machines without decals, it is always best to visit ISMACs and look up model and serial number . Once you have looked up the information, you’ll be able to find detailed information about when your machines was made. This will give you all the information you need to find pictures and an original manual. Compare notes between the pictures to see if your machine is the real thing. Below, I have one example of how to identify a fake machine.
Fake Singer 15
The machine pictured above has “RAF” decals, which were only made at a Singer manufacturing plant in Scotland from 1935 to the 1950s. But, features on the fake come from several different makes and models. The discrepancies are as follows. Fake “RAF” Singer 15 includes:
- A circular stitch length dial (This dial is only supposed to be on 15-91 & Singer 201)
- One spool pin hole (real Singer 15’s have 3)
- Features a pink and gold badge found on Singer 400 series machines
- Includes a feed dog drop dial from Singer 191
- Hand wheel spokes are much thinner
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