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When I do a search of "retro technology" I generally get lists of stuff made in the 70s, 80s, and 90s (old computers, electronic games, early electric watches, Polaroid cameras, etc.). Seems the things made earlier (mainly pre-70s) are now referred to as "vintage"; mostly things that have no advanced electronics. Manual (non-electric) typewriters would be an example.
I sew a bit, mainly doing repairs and alterations to my farm clothing and other things, but am no expert. My daughter (a fairly accomplished "seamstress" - retro term there) has been working for a couple of years in a sewing shop doing alterations and custom work for her employer; a woman who immigrated from Russia a couple of decades ago, and she tells me the work-horse machines there are all "vintage", usually made in Europe, and that her employer shuns the newer computerised machines. Anyway, I needed a 'new' sewing machine because I detest sewing on my wife's newer (25 years old?) electronic POS, which is showing signs of needing repair, so I began looking for a replacement. It arrives today:
![Image](http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3IoAAOSwQaJXRcUs/s-l500.jpg)
It's a "vintage (@1958?) Bernina 530 Record, made in Switzerland; all mechanical. I admit I was tempted to find something newer, and the new models Bernina, and others, market these days generally look like this, and the 'better' models cost $thousands, new:
![Image](https://www.bernina.com/assetgen/1/de/Resources-de/bernina-products/machines/7-Series/740/B740_Standard.jpg)
They do embroidery and all sorts of things I'll never need.
My main concern was finding parts, and, while some parts are available for these vintage machines, especially the vintage Singers like the still popular 221 Featherlite series (I have my mother's, in great shape, but tuns out it's worth a lot, and tiny), only a few parts for the vintage Berninas are available. Seems there isn't much market because they just don't break, except for things like belts and bobbin holders which are still available. The inside of this vintage machine:
![Image](http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/olQAAOSwMHdXRcUu/s-l1600.jpg)
.... all metal except for two minor nylon gears which apparently almost never break in this model. Red dots indicate oiling points. Oil? You actually need to oil these things?
I also have two vintage typewriters including my mother's vintage Remington like this one, which still works great (@1940):
These, along with things like the two vintage KitchenAid Mixers, which I use pretty much every week to bake, make bread dough, grind meat, make sausage, etc., are the types of things I'm adding to my vintage stuff which either last almost forever, or can be easily repaired. My main worry is the motors burning out, but we have a couple of tradesmen nearby who repair and rewind these old motors. They'll even build new brushes if they aren't available.
Is this stuff actually better? Worth holding on to? Will we always get the latest/greatest technology, or will those who buy it, then cast it away when it breaks down, be caught flat-footed?
BTW: The old treadle or hand-cranked sewing machines in good working condition can still be had, but are generally expensive collector items. A good vintage sewing machine (or typewriter) from the 40s-50s-60s can be had for well under $200, sometimes for just a few dollars at salvage stores, Goodwill, etc..
Anyone else into this old stuff that is actually still quite useful?
Edit: I also admit that I think the vintage stuff looks more 'classic'; much more pleasing, aesthetically, IMO.