Posted 12 years ago
contactrac…
(1 item)
I found this nifty old machine (guessing it's 20-30 years older than I am) browsing Craigslist shortly after I'd sold my 2006 Brother sewing machine. Every time I get the urge to use it, I'm always hesitant, and want to find out exactly what I've come across. I can't seem to find a way to get a specific date (year, really) of when it was manufactured, and every time I've searched the model and/or serial numbers in search engines, I can't find anything that's helpful. The model # is KZM, and serial # is 402187. Is anyone able to tell me what I've got my hands on?
I think the machine plates tell you quite a lot - it's manufactured by Koyo, Osaka, Japan for an importer named Standard Sewing Equipment, of NY. It's a multi-stitch automatic zig zagger so not that old, probably early 70's, if it's 20 to 30 years older than you you must be quite young :) It's not valuable or rare, and looks pretty typical of a modern machine in threading etc. There may be numbers stamped underneath it that could help with further id. Is it a drop in bobbin or a vertical bobbin in a case?
I'm from the early 90s so it is 20 years older! The koyo company doesnt make sewing machines anymore so I couldnt get to any type of records to find out how old it was. Also, its got plates for standard and universal, which had thrown me off. :]
and its a vertical bobbin style
LOL ok Rachael, one person's vintage is another's very young :) You have what is generally referred to as a badged machine. This refers to a machine that was purchased by a reseller, and given their own brand or name. The company that IMPORTED this machine was the Standard Sewing Equipment Co, NY. The company that SOLD the machine called it a 'Universal'. This may have been a branch of Standard Sewing Equipment, or another retailer. The MANUFACTURER of the machine is Koyo, from Osaka, Japan.
I found this info from Google:
STANDARD SEWING EQUIPMENT CORP
11760 BEREA RD
CLEVELAND, OH 44111
216-252-3370
This may or may not be the same company.
The KZM was also sold by Montgomery Ward as 'Signature'.
I would be surprised if the company could tell you when the machine was made, there may be a chance that you could find a manual, with a copyright date or something like that.
I can tell the age by the style of the machine, it's not very different from the type I had in sewing classes at school, a long time before you were born :) It's more modern that the zig zag machines that used cams for stitch patterns, or keys to change stitch patterns.
I can't see a spool pin - is it a horizontal type or is the pin missing?
This machine is the same one I own, and I have the manual. I know this is years old post, but if the OP sees it, let me know if you want me to send you copy.
Also there are many vintage sewing machine groups on ebay and they all pretty much will have a free manual for many machines.
If anyone needs manuals I can try to find them.
mimijean I would LOVE to have a copy of the KZM manual, please.
mimijean I would also love a copy of this manual, my machine is the KSB model, it is very similar but mine is built into a table.
I also just picked this up, mines blue! I'm in dire need of the manual!!
I would greatly appreciate a manual as well. I gave this machine to my grandmother years ago and she has not used it and offered it back to me but doesn't remember everything about it. I have used it quite a lot but want to learn more about the different functions.
I found a copy of the manual for sale for $15 if anyone is still looking, here is the link:
https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vintage-Universal-KSB-Sewing-Machine-Owner-Manual-L/38862598
Mimijean I have this sewing machine and I'd very much like to have a copy of the manual if it's still available!
We have this sewing machine. We bought it new in 1969 or 1970. I think we paid around $300.00 for it. We had to replace the case a few years ago, but it still works perfectly. We have the original user manual. I could copy the manual if someone wanted it and was willing to pay some for the copy.
I have a friend here that repairs sewing machines. He cleaned this one a few years ago. He does not sell sewing machines because he said there are no quality ones on the market today. Now they're all plastic.
I have a Universal STD-7 does anyone have a manual for it? Thanks so much
Thanks, will do!
nsofti if you go to the Singer manual page online, and put in W270, you should find the manual for the Deluxe Zig Zag - Model STD-270.
google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01D91vMKFHEKWYDvzmtCpSvOJLc0g%3A1586202199723&source=hp&ei=V4aLXouWKtGvggeM6a6IAQ&q=singer+manual&oq=singer&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgQIIxAnMgQIIxAnMgQIIxAnMgUIABCDATIFCAAQgwEyAggAMgUIABCDATIFCAAQgwEyBQgAEIMBMgUIABCDAUodCBcSGTBnMjM0ZzIwMGcyMjlnMTQ0ZzEyMWcyMTNKEQgYEg0wZzFnMWcxZzFnMWcxUMAIWKUNYNYaaABwAHgAgAHaAYgBuwiSAQUwLjMuM5gBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=psy-ab
nsofi Oooops, nope put in WSTD, and then the manual will come up. :)
keramikos, without a pic of the STD model that nsofi is talking about, that's the best I can do.
Looking for a user manual for a Universal Model 700 sewing machine made by the Osaka Sewing Machine Mfg. Co. in Osaka, Japan. Dates to about 1960's. Stamped J-C31. Has a built-in buttonholder, embroidery stitches, bobbin winder that only takes certain bobbins which I don't have. Sews great, but needle is in left position and I can't see how to get it centered. Will call Singer customer service today (read online Singer contracted machine mfg to Japan in 1960's) but not especially hopeful. Haven't seen ANY machines on the internet that look like this. It also only came with one presser foot and one bobbin. Any help would be appreciated.
Hello everyone. I'm new to this site and wanted to offer some assistance to all those who may need the instruction manual and parts schematic for the Universal Model 98 machine. I bought it new in 1975 and have all the original equipment. It's been a really good machine for me. If someone can instruct me as to how to get the manual on line, I'd be happy to upload it.
Hi keramikos, Thank you for your reply. I am able to scan and create pdf files, I've just never done so because I didn't think there was a need.
I just got given a universal sew mach model kzm and I am desperate to learn how to thread it and sew some facemasks help! Please it has a vertical bobbin holder.
I have a model KZM and the complete manual. email me at tttommie45@gmail.com or call me at 816-258-0908 and we will make arrangements for me to send you a copy of the manual. Since I don't use the machine that often, I frequently have to check the manual when I am threading it also.
I'm hoping someone here could help me with my 1970-ish Universal Model KA10. Machine is also stamped with "Standard Sewing Equipment". I have the original manual minus the cover, but was hoping there was some kind of documentation on this machine that would lead me to part #s... my machine has been making some really awful noises lately, and was hoping to find a source for parts.
Hi, simp10451. :-)
Apparently, there is a very large Facebook group for vintage sewing machine enthusiasts:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageSewingMachines/
I myself am not a Facebook user, so I can't tell you anything about it, but this website offers some background:
https://www.stillstitching.com/2019/03/vintage-sewing-machines-on-facebook.html
The reason I bring it up is because there is somebody in that group that maintains a huge library of manuals for vintage sewing machines, and they might have a service manual for your machine:
https://www.stillstitching.com/2019/01/teena-lee-sorrell-vintage-sewing-machine-manuals.html#more
Thank you, keramikos, I'm following your links!
simp10451, You're welcome. Good luck. :-)
Hello simp10451, and keramikos. :) I am the person you posted about on Still Stitching keramikos. :) simp10451 I would LOVE a copy of your manual, to share with the VSM FB community. It seems to be a bit scarce, and I'm sure others would benefit from having it available. If you are on FB, you can send me a PM, using the info on the Still Stitching page. As for parts for your machine, you can try https://www.sewingparts.co.uk/universal.html
I hope this helps, and good luck. :)
Wow, Stuff64. :-)
I hope you don't mind me 'name-checking' you via that Still Stitching link. When I first read that article about you, I was wholly impressed.
I'm not a vintage sewing machine expert, but I seem to have fallen into the habit of trying to help CW S&T users who ask for VSM help with with links to people who ARE experts. I'm standing on the shoulders of giants, and you're one of them.
Stuff64, I don't do facebook, is there another way to send the manual to you? Thanks for the sewingparts link - I'll look into that!
keramikos no, I did not mind you 'name-checking' me. ;) lol Giant, I am not, by no means. I just like helping ppl, and getting these old gals matched up with their manuals. And, I'm not to proud to beg ALL OVER the internet for them. LOL ;) simp10451, I don't usually put my email addy out on the world wide, because I'm pretty swamped as it is. LOL I do have a second email acct. that I will post here for you, and I'll be sure to check it....uh, because, uh, most times I don't. ;) LOL And, let me say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH (not yelling, just caps for emphasis), for being so kind to share your manual. I have encountered so MANY kind, caring, and sharing ppl, since I started this endeavor, as well as, thankful ppl, who have benefited from said kind, caring, and sharing folks. :) The email addy you can use is teenalouisesorrell@gmail.com. I hope you all have a great weekend, and once again, thank you.
Hola quiero aprender sobre una maquina UNIVERSAL no. 523537 modelo UNS-50 , serian tan amables de informarme si en algun lugar encuentro manual o videos , se los agradesco !!
Hi Yere. :-)
It would be better for you to create a post of your own with up to four pictures of your sewing machine, because the name Universal has a rather tangled history in sewing machine history, and without pictures, we're flying blind:
https://sewingiscool.com/universal-sewing-machine-serial-numbers/
Having said that, on the assumption that your sewing machine is similar to the one in this post, here is a manual for a Universal model UNS-50:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1393763/Universal-Un50.html#product-UN50
https://translate.google.com/
Hola Yere. :-)
Sería mejor que crearas una publicación propia con hasta cuatro imágenes de tu máquina de coser, porque el nombre Universal tiene una historia bastante complicada en la historia de las máquinas de coser, y sin imágenes, estamos volando a ciegas:
https://sewingiscool.com/universal-sewing-machine-serial-numbers/
Dicho esto, suponiendo que su máquina de coser sea similar a la de esta publicación, aquí hay un manual para un modelo Universal UNS-50:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1393763/Universal-Un50.html#product-UN50
For any manuals for the vintage machines, I admin FB group called Vintage Sewing Machines, with 50K or so members and we have hundreds of free manuals to download. Anyone is welcome to join.
These machines were called badged machines, sold naked to buyers who then stuck their badge or name on them, so you might find the same machine under several names.
That is why seeing machine is always best, photo gives something to look for, as the name won't work always.
mimijean, Yes, thank you. :-)
Sometimes it's very true that a picture is worth a thousand words, especially with regard to vintage badged sewing machines.
mimijean, I just noticed that the link for the manual I provided is actually for a Universal UN-50 manual, not a Universal UNS-50 manual.
I don't know if Yere had a typo in their comment or what.
Flying blind. Sigh.
Muchas gracias keramikos y mimijean por responder si es muy parecida al manual de la un50 la maquina es muy parecida muchas gracias, igual vere si puedo subir fotos :)
Yere, You're welcome. :-)
You won't be able to upload images to this post; that's not how the Collectors Weekly Show & Tell software works.
In a comment on a post, you can only link to images that are hosted somewhere else.
In order to upload images, you would have to create a post of your own.
https://translate.google.com/
Sí, de nada. :-)
No podrás subir imágenes a esta publicación; así no es como funciona el software Collectors Weekly Show & Tell.
En un comentario en una publicación, solo puede vincular imágenes que estén alojadas en otro lugar.
Para subir imágenes, deberías crear una publicación propia.
Hi, contactrachael. :-)
I'm revising some of my vintage sewing machine help here at Collectors Weekly Show & Tell and I am planning to use copies of some of your pictures of this particular sewing machine. This is a non-profit effort.
If you don't want me to do that, just tell me here on this post in a comment and I'll remove any copies of your pictures from my post(s).
Cheers,
keramikos