Davis New Vertical Feed. For sale at NC TOGA

 

Here is a Davis New Vertical Feed treadle head.  Think it looks rough?  You are absolutely right.  This is a machine that could either be restored with time and effort, or used as a parts machine. 

NC TOGA is coming up in June.  If you don't know what that is I'll be describing it in a future post.  One of the things it is, is a swap meet.  I have some machines for sale.

This is a straight stitch only machine.  This particular model uses "ordinary" needles, the kind that all modern domestic machines use.  Older models of Davis used different needles.

Davis vertical feed machines are very unusual and interesting.  There are no feed dogs.  The NEEDLE moves the fabric.  Needle down, needle and fabric move forward, needle up, needle moves back, needle down, repeat with each stitch.  There is no possibility for the fabric to slip.  It is way better than a walking foot.  Quilters love it for attaching binding.

 I had plans to restore this but I'm no longer interested in doing that.  

 

Here's a warning for anyone who wants to tackle a restoration, or even merely cleaning, of a Davis Vertical Feed of any era.  DO NO REMOVE THE NOSE PLATE until you have found the specific directions for putting it back together again.  Google will help you find these instructions and there are also YouTube videos.  It's very tricksy and if you put it back together wrong you'll get some interesting results.  AMHIK.  

 

 

The serial number is at top of the slide plate.  Can't read it?   Neither can I.

 

 

A working Davis Vertical Feed machine is a wonderful thing.  Are you up for the challenge of tackling this one?  The price will be in the "please take this off my hands" range.

 

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Here's how this works:  I  create a blog post for each machine and describe what I know about it in detail, pros and cons.  Once I have all the machines up on this blog I will post a price list at the NC TOGA Facebook page.  If you are attending the TOGA and are seriously interested let me know and I will bring it.  "Seriously interested" means that you plan to buy it IF you like what you see in person.  Absolutely NO obligation in advance and I won't take any money in advance.  

Cash or PayPal.  I don't use any other payment apps.  Hey, I'm an old lady.  Can't be learning new apps all the time.

Once the price list is up you can call dibs on any machine and I will make sure you get to see it and decide if you want it before anyone else can buy it.

This approach has worked very well in the past.  Just please don't ask me to haul 40+ pounds of cast iron across North Carolina if all you want to do is ogle it.  Serious interest only please.

Some of these machines will have been serviced and some will not so read the descriptions carefully.  It is not my usual practice to sell machines that I have not serviced first.  But I really need to downsize the herd and TOGA is almost here.  Many TOGAteers are experienced antique sewing machine mechanics themselves.  They will also be glad to provide advice to others about whether a machine is a good choice for a newbie.