Friday, November 14, 2014

Necchi-Alco A709-4

Ok, so I'm a little delinquent on posting new stuff to this blog. It's been a busy 4 months. Below is a photo I took this morning of my sewing work bench, with a poor Elna that's been all ripped to pieces for 4 months or more, patiently waiting for me to reassemble it. I just hope I can remember where everything goes...



Lint, and lots of it..... look at all those bent needles on the right of the photo. This machine's been well-used.

But yesterday I managed to score a sewing machine at the local Silverdale Goodwill during their weekly half-price red tag sale. It's a Necchi-Alco model A709-4 (or is it just an "Alco", distributed by Necchi? I dunno.) It's Japanese made, so is of the normal high quality. And heavy. Wow. Maybe I'm just getting old, but 30-some pounds of cast iron is not easy to cart around.

I didn't plug the sewing machine in at the store, figuring that it will run just like all the others I've purchased. And once I got it home, it did turn over, ever so slowly and loudly. Nothing a little oil and TLC can't cure.

Here are a few more photos of the beast:






And now for the zinger... I don't quite know what to make of this next photo. The sticker is on the flatbed of the sewing machine. Maybe I have a rare piece here. Ha ha.

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16 comments:

  1. Toby TousleyNovember 20, 2014 at 5:52 AM

    The last time I cleaned out my barn was 1992 when I bought the place. People in NH hoard stuff and there are a lot of old barns full of, well everything. So I found this sewing machine table with an Alco model 490 machine in it. Everything is intact, and the table is an easy restore. My wife has been talking about getting back into sewing and I figured I could get this thing working. The problem I have is I can't find any info on this machine. I have diligently searched and searched to no avail and stumbled upon your blog. After searching through your pictures I noticed the exact same machine which you have labeled as a Glaco 490 select a stitch, posted in July 2013. I still can't find any info. This must have been a machine that was rebranded. Do you have any info or idea as to where I might look? The machine is in very good shape and intact. I am just missing the bobbins. I might be dreaming, but a manual would be nice. Thanks for any help, Toby

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    1. sewingmachinenutNovember 20, 2014 at 3:57 PM

      Sorry Toby, I haven't got any more info on my Glaco 490. Bobbins would be standard Class 15 and the needle would be a 15x1. Both items are available at any sewing supply store. As for oiling, pull the top cover (couple of screws typically) and open the left side cover. Sparingly oil any pivot point that moves. Same with underneath the machine.

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  2. Toby TousleyNovember 20, 2014 at 8:13 PM

    Thanks! I appreciate it. I did find a Kenmore 51 on your site that was very similar. I was able to get a manual that might help.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 10, 2015 at 4:52 AM

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  4. Sue ClarkMarch 28, 2015 at 5:08 PM

    Hi, I have a friend who has A709-4 model also. She has lost the screw that goes in the bobbin. Being elderly she is having trouble taking care of this. I told her i would go on line and see what i could find out. does she need a whole new bobbin? or just that tiny screw? She lives in Holbrook Az which a small town about 3 hours north of Phoenix and about hour and half east of Flagstaff. I would really like to help her as she loves to sew and loves her machine. Any suggestions? So far you are the only person i can find that even knows about this model of sewing machine.. thanks Sue

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    1. sewingmachinenutApril 7, 2015 at 5:28 PM

      The bobbin itself doesn't have any screws but the bobbin case or holder has a couple teensy screws. One of them are for the bobbin thread tension adjustment and there might be a second screw inside the case that keeps the locking handle from rotating too far. In my opinion, if the tension screw is missing, you'd be ahead to just buy a new bobbin case from any reputable parts dealer, online or locally. These bobbin cases are fairly generic.

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  5. Taylor FreyApril 4, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    Hi! I have the same sewing machine! My grandmother gave it to me a few years ago. I would love to start sewing, but I can't find the back stitch. Do you know where it is?

    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. sewingmachinenutApril 7, 2015 at 5:30 PM

      Hi Taylor
      The reverse button is in the middle of the stitch length knob, the black knob with the white arrow on it. The button should push in for reverse. Yours may be stuck possibly?

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  6. hely felyMay 26, 2015 at 11:37 PM

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  7. Susan DSeptember 17, 2015 at 9:08 PM

    I'm having trouble with my Necchi-Alco A709-5 catching the bobbin thread. Help I have tried it seems like everything! I do not have owners manual.

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  8. Susan DSeptember 17, 2015 at 9:18 PM

    I'm having trouble with my Necchi-Alco A709-5 catching the bobbin thread. Help I have tried it seems like everything! I do not have owners manual.

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  9. UnknownNovember 7, 2016 at 11:11 AM

    How do you thread this machine and what kind of needle to use

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  10. Demetria GilliamNovember 7, 2016 at 11:13 AM

    How do you thread this machine and what kind of needle to use

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMay 10, 2019 at 2:12 PM

    Hi. I have the same machine and trying to turn the knob to do zigzag and will not turn. I wonder if there are other steps to take before turning it. Please let me know if you happen to know anything about it. Thank you.

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  12. Cecil BremerJune 21, 2019 at 8:59 PM

    Hi! I have the same machine -- would you happen to have a copy (digital or otherwise) of the user's manual available? I can't seem to find one anywhere and I really want to restore/understand this awesome machine.

    ReplyDelete

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