What is a free westinghouse sewing machine worth deluxe model ALC?

Answer 1

Free-Westinghouse manufactured a line of electro-mechanical sewing machines, Generally these were housed in a wooden cabinet which folded open revealing the sewing machine inside.

For someone who maintains nostalgic memories of their Mother making or mending cloths on this or a machine like it, the machine is priceless but as far as selling it as a practical sewing machine, the machine has a resale value of zero ($0.00).

There is nothing wrong with this particular make or model. Ninety-nine percent of these older, electro-mechanical sewing machines aren't worth anything because the cost of having it serviced approaches or exceeds the price of a NEW machine from a discount store. A new $89 machine will do everything the old one does and more.

An old machine that has been stored away for years always requires service, even though it appears to sew ok for a quick test. All the grease and oil which lubricated the machine has either hardened or turned to varnish. This gunk has to be cleaned out and the machine lubricated else the machine will jam and break threads on the first project. Also the "all metal" machine has little plastic gears and a rubber timing belt, both of which have become fragile with age.

Although older machines might be constructed from mostly metal, this alone doesn't make them "better" than a new machine having a lot of plastic parts. They are more costly to maintain and repair, due to specialized knowledge required. However, they do typically have more torque, so they can sew denser materials than the lower end new machines with plastic drive pieces. So the main use of these older machines is for frugal sewers wishing to work with heavier knit fabrics, costume fabrics including synthetic fur, and multiple fold fabrics such as those created when sewing fabric tents for historic reenactments.

You are unlikely to break a new machine but if you do then you can take it back. Breaking an old machine will lead you down a more expensive repair path unless you are into repairing things yourself.

There is not any real market for machines of this era except for their use by those lacking funds to buy a newer machine and those doing unusual tasks requiring more force from the needle. If all else fails, metal recyclers may give you some money for the cast iron in the body of the machine.

Answer 2

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