Morse Sewing Machine
Pros And Cons Of New And Vintage Morse Machines
Morse sewing machine is the perfect vintage machine with the strength of an industrial sewing machine.
Morse machines have been built for decades on the principle that power and durability matter most in a sewing machine.
While most Morse sewing machines today are used by industrial factories or sewing shops with heavy loads, they and their vintage home-use counterparts can still be of great use to homemakers and sewing hobbyists.
If you're attempting to purchase a vintage Morse machine, you will most likely be doing so at the mercy of yard sales, garage sales, junk shops, antique stores or Ebay.
You can expect to pay anywhere from five dollars to fifty dollars depending on the condition of the machine, the knowledge of the seller and just how badly you want it.
However, if you are willing to invest a more substantial amount of money for industrial strength, you can purchase a new Morse sewing machine directly from Morse International for as little as $159, depending on the model.
The Morse brand of sewing machines has always upheld quality and durability. The brand is known for being able to take on any type of project.
Unlike many other sewing machines, Morse machines are capable of handling fur, leather, denim, silk, chiffon, vinyl, upholstery, muslin, canvas, tents, awnings, duck, sacking, tarp, voile, tricot, cotton and dozens of others types of fabric and sewing projects.
This is why the Morse machines are synonymous with industrial sewing projects and can be found in workshops around the world.
New Morse Sewing Machine
The
newer machines, while more expensive, have several advantages over the vintage machines. One notable difference is the weight of the machine. Morse sewing machines have always been built to last.
Philip S. Morse, the original inventor and owner of the manufacturing company, took this standard seriously enough to build all of the machines out of heavy metal and thick chrome. When he said they were guaranteed for a lifetime, he meant it. With all of these solid metal parts, the vintage machines are extremely heavy and can be awkward to move.
Newer models feature more plastic construction, resulting in a lighter, more manageable weight. Morse machines are very simple to thread and easy to use; many users can understand how to use them without even opening a manual. The visual symbols are easy to understand, and they guide users through the process of threading the machine and bobbin.
Changing stitches is just as easy; the diagrams are self-explanatory. Another advantage to a new sewing machine from Morse is the modern technology that gives it more features such as additional stitches not found on an older machine.
A wide assortment of attachments and feet allow you to do everything from buttonholes to zippers quickly and easily. A new machine also comes with a warranty to protect your purchase in the event of a defect.
Pros:
- Lighter weight
- More stitches
- Modern attachments
- Warranty
Cons:
- Plastic construction may not be as durable as older metal parts
- More expensive than a vintage machine
- Repairs for industrial machines may take longer and cost more
Vintage Morse Sewing Machine
On the other hand, older machines also have benefits. Because the older machines are more simply built, they are often much easier to repair, and in many cases compatible new parts can be found, even at a lower cost than parts for newer models.
Vintage Morse machine parts are also plentiful if you look online or inquire at some sewing machine repair shops. Additionally, the mechanical parts on the vintage models, even after five or six decades, are often still in good working order, so repairs may never be necessary.
The downside to purchasing a vintage Morse sewing machine is that, if you are making your purchase solely for the value of an antique, you may be disappointed because they do not have a high resale value. The value of a vintage Morse sewing machine is its incredible durability.
Even after sixty years of use, a vintage Morse sewing machine can continue to be functional and productive. Because of their long life and the ease of repairing them, their owners usually have no reason to give them up as antiques.
Even more so, the sheer number of these machines that remain in perfect or near to perfect condition based on the manufacturing method and materials means that they are not a once in a lifetime find.
Nevertheless, finding a vintage machine at a low price may not always be easy, since users are often reluctant to part with such a fantastic mechanism.
Pros:
- Solid metal construction is extremely durable
- Simple to use; simple to repair
- Wide availability of parts, both used and new
- Can be bought for a very low price
- Lasts many decades in perfect working order
Cons:
- Very heavy due to metal construction
- May be hard to acquire because owners are unwilling to part with them
- Little or no antique resale value
For anyone serious about sewing, it does not matter whether you purchase a vintage model or a new Morse sewing machine. Both are cheap to replace in the unlikely event the machine completely breaks down and they can handle any sewing project, no matter how tough or delicate.
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