Eighties Vikings

I haven't blogged about sewing machines in a while, so I guess it is time.  My Khaki pants from my last blog are still under construction, I just needed a little break from them.

This blog is called Eighties Vikings because it is about my mechanical Vikings made in the Eighties.   I already had two,  then Joe and I found a 150 in the thrift store, with the feet, extra bobbins, the cover, and  everything except the foot control.  Foot controls can be found on eBay for $25 and up.  This wasn't a problem because I had an extra.  I took it home and  it ran great but the reverse wouldn't work.  This is common with older Vikings.  I oiled where it needed and took my blow dryer to the reverse mechanism to heat it up and free up the hardened grease and grime.  Finally with some patience the reverse button started moving.  Success!  Another working Viking added to my collection.

Then a few days later down the street from my parent's house were some items on the curb.  I immediately yelled "stop the car, I see a Viking!"  I jumped out and scooped up a machine with a case that I knew was a Viking while a man looking at the TV in the pile told me "it just needs batteries"  I thanked him, jumped in the car and lifted the cover to find a 180E without a  pedal.  I tried it with one of my other pedals and it worked, except for the reverse being non-operative.  The blow dryer and oil to the rescue again.

 I decided after acquiring two Vikings in a matter of days I better take inventory of my Eighties Vikings.

Here they are:

Viking 150 from thrift store

Viking 180E from sidewalk

Viking 190

Viking 630

The 630 is the oldest of the bunch and has an adjustable stitch width.  The 150 uses a different foot control because it is not electronic.  Otherwise the machines are similar.  Also, the 630 and the 190 have an automatic needle up/down.

Group Photo

I think these are fine machines.  They are smooth, quiet, powerful, and make a nice stitch.  The downside is the foot controls are hard to find and the bobbins can't be purchased locally.  But I can handle a few downsides with all the upsides these machines offer.

I have videos of the 630 and the 190  on youtube.

Thanks for stopping.