Thread: Crazy Collectibles Post 'em if you got 'em

I've been collecting one thing or another all of my life. Some things are kind of strange I guess. Years ago, when ironwork was slow I learned to install carpet, and became an expert 'carpet mechanic' in the parlance of the trade. We used to use Stanley 199 utility knives to cut the underlaid padding to size. Been 25 years since I've done it and don't ask why ......... 'cause I couldn't answer it my own self ....... but here in all their glory are Stanley, and other utility knives ;



Set of Stanley 1299s. The one with the holes on the far left is cast iron, dates to 1940 (with Defiance embossed on the handle) and the one in the center is a non magnetic metal, but not aluminum. The last one is aluminum.



Followed by the most long lived, the 199 series. Begun in 1936, which the brass one in the box commemorates, they are still in production AFAIK, but with a handle that has safety features that make what was a quick and easy blade change slower. The one with the guard over the blade is the one with that 'feature'. Older was better. Note the two that seem to be identical to the Stanley branded models, but are a different name. I assumed they were made by Stanley but they are slightly different inside, so I don't know.








The 299. Basically the same as its large cousin, the 199, it is a half inch or so smaller overall, and some guys like that. The one with the holes is the earlier model and both are aluminum. Old tools rock, especially if you used 'em in your younger days.

I like those! I have a few, one is a 'wizard' from Western Auto. Much sturdier and solid than the retractable ones, IMO.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I like those! I have a few, one is a 'wizard' from Western Auto. Much sturdier and solid than the retractable ones, IMO.

Trade you a W&B FBU 8/8 for it ! .............. (early April fool ) .........

I've been collecting utility knives for a long time too. Every time I cannot find one, I buy another. They're around here somewhere!

I must have a pretty good scissors collection too. Every time I want to tape a razor, I have to ask my wife where my "for honing only" scissors is. I must have a dozen of them by now.

Sewing machines, mostly old Singers - I restore them and my wife uses them:

Wilcox & Gibbs Automatic (circa 1900), with add-on electric motor (1920's). This is a chainstitch machine that was patented just prior to the Civil War and remained in production through the early Depression:




Singer Model 127 (1919, Elizabethport, NJ) - a vibrating shuttle machine converted to hand crank drive:




Singer Model 24-80 (1921, Elizabethport, NJ) - another chainstitch machine, very rare and valuable:




Singer Model 66K3 (1922, Clydebank, Kilbowie, Scotland) - a hand crank machine with the rare Egyptian Lotus motif:




Singer Model 99K2 (1938, Clydebank, Kilbowie, Scotland) - a hand crank machine in near-new condition:




Singer Model 201K2 (1940, Clydebank, Kilbowie, Scotland) - this exceptional machine was made during the fall of France in late May, 1940. Within a week of its manufacture, the Singer Clydebank Works would be converted to full time war production and would later be heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe. This machine has the original 240 volt electrics and is controlled by a lever pressed sideways by the right knee. This is the one machine I have kept for myself - it is built and runs like a Swiss watch:




Singer Model 221-1 (1946, Elizabethport, NJ) - the famous 'Featherweight' model, this one a very early post-war production model:




Singer Model 15K89 (1949, Clydebank, Kilbowie, Scotland) - a post-war factory hand crank machine. There were still popular in the U.K. through the 1950's due to the high cost of electricity:




Singer Model 301A (1953, Anderson, SC) - Singer's first slant-needle machine and my wife's favorite for using:




Singer Model 99-31 (1955, Elizabethport, NJ) - Singer's 3/4 size workhorse in original factory cabinet. This model was in production worldwide for nearly 80 years:




Singer Model 319W (1957, Bridgeport, CT) - an odd model based on an industrial machine. There are 5 different stitches accessible via the 'typewriter' keys on top by the hand wheel, plus plastic cams for an additional 28 stitches could be attached to the front of the machine:




Singer Model 222K (1961, Clydebank, Kilbowie, Scotland) - the very rare (and very expensive!) 'Free Arm Featherweight' model. These were not made for the American market and most are in 240 volt configuration. This particular one is a Canadian market machine with factory 120 volt electrics:





Singer Model 500A (1961, Anderson, SC) - the 'Rocketeer' model. designed by Raymond Loewy of Studebaker and Avanti fame. Singer's most advanced and complicated non-computerized machine. An internal cam provides 24 different stitches, plus another 22 are available via interchangeable cams. This one is mounted in the original factory cabinet:

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

Sewing machines, mostly old Singers - I restore them and my wife uses them:

Now those are beautiful ! I've always admired the old 'art deco' look of the early Singers, but I had no clue of the variety. Great stuff ! Thanks for posting it.

Sewing machines, very cool, I picked up an old one I found on someone's lawn, ended up talking to the person who put it out as junk, she said it worked fine...got it upstairs....weighs a ton!!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Sewing machines, very cool, I picked up an old one I found on someone's lawn, ended up talking to the person who put it out as junk, she said it worked fine...got it upstairs....weighs a ton!!

Singer Model 27, an earlier version of mine. Parts are readily available if needed. Great score!

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

Singer Model 27, an earlier version of mine. Parts are readily available if needed. Great score!

Thanks, lady I picked it up from said she had it all fixed up, it works perfectly, the whole piece is original she said, wife tried it and it worked fine, although using the foot pedal was awkward at first...

Okay I got one of those in a 1927 portable model. I got it because it sews about 10 layers of Levi material and I will use it on leather someday. The cool thing about these old machines is that they are all metal parts and you can still buy new parts for them. Heck I could even get new decals if I want to restore it but hey I got enough to do already :<0)



Jimmy my Stanley collection is in storage with my Proto and Snap On sets which are older than dirt. Dang I got to spend a day digging to post here. I got a set of old auger bits in a triple folding wooden box that I still can't believe I own.

Type the serial number into Google Phrank. You will know everything about it.