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Vintage Singer 503a Rocketeer Sewing Machine $200 obo - $200 (Lakeway)
Nevada near Lakeway
condition:
good
make / manufacturer:
Singer
model name / number:
503a Rocketeer
size / dimensions:
17 x 11 x 7
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Clean, looks and runs great, but read everything below as there are some imperfections.
Features:
Atomic-era styling.
'Mocha' color with cream, burgundy, and gold detailing.
Flip-up top to access spools, bobbin winder, cam stack, and extra spool pin.
Straight and zig-zag stitches, high/slant-shank.
Option to use cams ("fashion disks") for fancy stitches.
Throat plate raises and lowers for different kinds of fabric or for darning/embroidery.
Dial presser-foot pressure gauge in nose.
Mostly metal gears. The only gear that isn't metal is behind the handwheel, which is made of a hard resin/fabric called "textolite" and considered almost unbreakable (in the unlikely event of breakage, this gear is easily accessed and changed out).
Comes with:
4x vintage four-hole Class 66 bobbins.
Box of 12 Fashion Disks (in Touch & Sew box, but T&S uses same cam system. Disks fit, and have been tested, see photo for sample).
Original "0" zig-zag cam/disk.
Buttonholer with 20 cams, including eyelet (Touch & Sew era, untested but looks great and all parts move as they should).
Replacement top spool pin (this tends to fall out, so I used the pop-up spools).
Caveats:
Minor surface wear and stains.
No cabinet, case, or base.
Missing drip-pan. May want to put her on some cardboard when/right after oiling.
Pin in top of nose door missing, I made a replacement so the door functions normally.
Plug rim shows repair. Note this does not affect safety/functionality - the break was on the rim/lip only.
Replaced foot pedal (vintage Kenmore). She came to me this way - note the original foot pedals on these machines were often replaced because sewists didn't like them (bakelite button type).
Rubber 'feet' on machine were damaged, so I shaved them down and put stick-on furniture felts. I put the screws to the original (damaged) feet into a little baggie (shown with bobbins). One can easily buy original vintage or new replacement rubber feet for this model online if wanted.
Machine Condition:
Good running condition, quiet and smooth!
All functions tested and work as they should.
Has been cleaned and oiled/greased.
Motor runs great - commutator in good shape.
Motor brushes are 12mm or about 85%.
Foot pedal and power cords are in good condition (but are vintage, so use with care).
This classic sewing machine is from an era when quality mattered.
These machines were built to be long-lasting, hard-wearing, and repairable!
Original vintage parts, attachments, and accessories are readily available online (ebay, Etsy, etc) for reasonable prices.
One can also find newly-made replacement parts (but most find the vintage parts work/fit better!)
There are collectors' groups on FB dedicated to Singer Rocketeers, where you can get advice on everything from how to use to how to repair.
There are also many tutorials on YouTube that demonstrate features, how to use attachments, maintenance, and repair.
I'm selling her because she's an extra, and I prefer earlier models/styles.
-also refurbishing and re-selling vintage sewing machines is something I do occasionally when one lands in my lap!
I take cash or Venmo.
$200 obo
Sorry no shipping