Thursday, July 19, 2012

Why a Slant-O-Matic?

So you're wondering just what it is that makes these machines so awesome.  So fabulous. So GLORIOUS!

If you weren't already sucked in by their MODERN '60's design and aerodynamic lines you would be by their brilliant slant needle.

All right, all right. I know I am a sucker for these things. But I buy into all the hype. All of it. The good old Singer Sewing Manufacturing Company touted the Singer Slant-O-Matic was "The Greatest Sewing Machine Ever Made!" Of course they said that about a few machines...

...But I really believe it.

First of all they are BEAUTIFUL. I know I am biased of course, but I think the 500 series is the most beautiful in design. The 401s are great, don't get me wrong. But, aesthetically speaking, nothing can compare to the lines of the 500 and 503.

They can do anything. They have adjustable needle position, a wide variety of attachments (there will be a comprehensive list of compatible attachments here in the very near future).

They are strong. Anywhere you look you hear about how they can sew through six layers of denim and leather. I must admit I don't come across a lot of need to sew through 6 layers of denim but when that day comes I am READY.

They are slant needle machines. Slant needle machines offer greater visibility of the needle and what you are sewing. It's a higher shank so you can really get in there. Love it.

They are solid metal. There are no plastic parts in the workings of these guys. They are metal gear driven so they can handle just about anything you throw at them.

And finally, they are just so COOL! Look at the Slant-O-Matic. Listen to the Slant-O-Matic. Sew with the Slant-O-Matic. Trust me. You will be hooked.

5 comments:

  1. Hello. Mrs. D here from Wisconsin. I just purchased a cool Singer 500A Slant-O-Matic at a city wide rummage sale for $12. Plugged it in, and it ran smooth. Very very clean. No instructions, no accessories. They people who sold me the machine had no clue about the machine, its age, last service date, etc. I'm thinking it was granny's machine, and granny isn't living anymore.

    I haven't tried stitches yet. I am able to push down and easily move the stitch pattern selector dial A through J. I can pull out the other stitch pattern selector dial but it will not budge from the K position. It's frozen. Note, that the stitch width position is in the middle, at 3. What should I try next?

    There is a top hat cam installed in the machine #5. There were no additional top hat cams with this machine. I would like to find 1,2,3,4, cams. The machine came in a very nice (quite new) hard case.

    Model 500A is printed at the top of the stitch length plate.

    I have a relatively small collection of other antique and vintage sewing machines (about 20 or so,) and have been sewing 50 years: clothing, drapes, linens, re-covered cushions, etc. I am also an avid quilter, and free style long arm quilter. Please check out my website at our old Victorian in rural Wisconsin. http://www.1893victorianfarmhouse.blogspot.com

    I became a follower today of your website. So glad to meet you.

    P.S. Thank you for providing a free version of the instruction manual for the Singer 500A Slant-O-Matic. I read through it, and it is very helpful and will be helpful as we deep clean and add oil.

    Sincerely,
    Mrs. D - Wisconsin

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  2. I am 35, and just got into sewing. I was looking for a sewing table for my Brother,and got more than I bargained for. Inside was a #Singer 500A Slant-O-Magic "Rocketeer." From what I read, it was manufactured from 1961-1963, and was the last all-metal #sewing machine @Singer ever made. It's also the only one they made without a belt (?) It's kinda cool- looking. What's even cooler is that it actually still works! This is the first #sewing machine I've ever seen with a knee pedal instead of a foot pedal, so it's really old school. I cleaned it up as best I could and plan to use it! Mine is missing the top lid, and did not come with accessories, but I'm finding all that stuff cheap on eBay. My mom says it will work better than my Brother, and based on what you're saying here, she's right!

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  4. Hi Sugar, wondering if you have time to email me about some troubleshooting with my slantomatic? It's a gorgeous machine I had just got it working well when it seems to now have a binding issue: when I turn the hand wheel it only engages the bobbin winder mechanism and not the crank or uptake lever systems. I've tried troubleshooting videos and am going to take it to a professional repair service, just wondered if this happened to you and if so how did you deal with it?

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