Posted 2 months ago
David1963
(1 item)
Not looking for appraisal, just information on what to use on this machine, like bobbins, needles and how to set them up. We're looking to use this for various projects.
Antique white sewing machine. | ||
| Non-Singer Sewing Machines1 of 461 |  |  |
David1963, A vintage White sewing machine. Cool. :)
I could be wrong, but it looks to me like what you have is a White VS III:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Sewing_Machine
The "VS" stands for vibrating shuttle.
Per the late, great Katie Farmer, White VS III sewing machine heads have serial numbers in this range:
"White VS III -- serial number 581,002 through 704,700"
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/white-identification-and-dating-12778586
The serial number should be stamped in that little raised area on the bed in front of the pillar.
Here's a blog with a picture of a White VS III that the owner has named "Betty" (scroll down):
https://treadlequeen.wordpress.com/museum-pages/white-machines/
Here's another (again, scroll down):
https://possumjimandelizabeth.com/xhtml/collect_sewing_white.html
Here are some instructions for threading, etc:
https://ismacs.net/needlebar/main/manuals/whitevs/
Here is a YouTube video for threading a White VS III:
Threading a White VS III Sewing Machine
https://youtu.be/AbRjxDNixvE?si=FtzNEtodvbH7V2Qg
If you've never used a treadle sewing machine before:
https://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/treadles/howtotreadle.html
Parts: this might prove to be difficult.
For starters, did your White VS III come with a shuttle, bobbin, and a needle, or do you need to find all of them?
I believe the White VS III takes a 20x1 needle (however, a modern 15x1 might work with a little cheat adjustment):
https://ismacs.net/needle_and_shank/pdfs/the-needlebar-needle-book.pdf
I'm going to link this CW S&T post over on the Victorian Sweatshop, and have the members over there verify (or contradict, as appropriate) that this White VSM is a VS III.
That, and it will make available the combined depth and breadth of the VSM knowledge over there (which is considerable):
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/a-new-user-at-cw-st-has-a-vintage-white-vibrating-shuttle-and-wants-help-13882231
In fact, you are more than welcome to join yourself.
David1963, I found some specific White VS III manuals at VSS, but you have to be a member to download them.
If you don't feel ready to join, I can email you copies (my email address is in my CW S&T profile):
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/keramikos
David1963, On the VSS site, member Tipsy Treadler reports:
"I don’t have access to my VS III tonight, but I can check to see if its bobbins/shuttles have any counterparts in my Boye cases. The Boye case says the White vibrator wants shuttle and bobbins in the Boye 11 tube."
I myself did some more noodling around the Net, and it's possible that Helen Howes has a compatible shuttle:
"BBSH058d White, marked, with centre pin to take a hollow bobbin, also fits Pfaff; £25"
https://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/shuttles.html
Naturally, you would want to confirm its compatibility with Helen before purchasing it.
This may be the compatible bobbin, but she's currently out of stock on it:
"BBL001a Hollow, Boye 11, fits Pfaff, White with central pin; £7.50 (Sorry, out of stock)"
You could contact Helen about that shuttle:
https://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk
See this VSS topic about 20 x 1 needles:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/20-x-1-needles-8065031
And this Reddit post:
"Firefly_Dixie23
WSM sewing machine needles
I purchased three vintage sewing machine drawers with a bunch of old notions in them. Old thread, tomato pin cushions, a couple of old machine manuals and the needle threader (marked W Germany). There were two needles in an old wooden needle case. The long one on top is marked "1", the middle one is marked "WSM 1" and the bottom one is a new Smetz. What is the long one for? What is WSM?"
"Yes, White Sewing Machine. The long one is for the earliest models they made, and is equivalent to a 20x1. They were a common needle into the 1950's, used by early White, New Home, and National machines. In the case of White, they were only used in the 3 Vibrating Shuttle models, VS, VSII, & VSIII."
https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageSewingMachines/comments/1nhvnzm/wsm_sewing_machine_needles/
Helen Howes doesn't appear to have any compatible 20 x1 needles:
https://helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/needles.html
So you'll probably have to scrounge the Internet for them.
I found a Worthpoint listing described as a shuttle and bobbin for a White VS III (this is just so you know what they look like):
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/white-vs-iii-shuttle-bobbins-vs-431142905
Dunno how reputable this outfit is, but it has some BOYE containers with a variety of contents, and one or two look like they have compatible shuttles and/or bobbins):
https://www.sewingmachine221sale.com/store/page115.html
A tidbit of dating information from the late, great Enrico:
"VS III came out in the 1890's"
https://www.fiddlebase.com/american-machines/white-sewing-machine-company/dating-identifying-white-sewing-machines/
FYI, that page also has a lot of White patent information.
Whoops, a link to a 20 x 1 needle topic at VSS:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/20-x-1-needles-8065031
Whoops, a link to a 20 x 1 needle topic at VSS:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/20-x-1-needles-8065031
Sorry about the double comment. You can delete the second one.
David1963,
I found a copy of the operator manual for the White VS III at ISMACS (International Sewing Machine Collectors Society), so you won't have to email me for a copy:
https://ismacs.net/white/manuals/white-vsiii-sewing-machine-manual.pdf
In case you didn't look at the VSS topic where I solicited opinions/advice about your VSM: longtime VSS member kndpakes agrees with me that your VSM is indeed a White VS III.
You didn't specify in your original post text whether you had a shuttle.
You really only need one shuttle, unless you want a spare, just in case something goes wrong with the other; however, you might want extra bobbins, because if you only have one, it can be annoying and wasteful to remove thread of one type in order to wind thread of another.
Shuttles and bobbins for the White VS III are not plentiful, so finding replacements if you don't already have any will probably be your biggest hurdle .
I provided a link to that Worthpoint listing mostly because it has actual pictures of a White VS III shuttle and bobbin. The original, underlying sales listing is probably long gone.
You mentioned that you were planning to use this VSM for various projects, but didn't specify what kind of projects. I hope none of your projects involve sewing leather, because few domestic sewing machines handle sewing leather well.
If you need more assistance with this VSM (or indeed any other), I recommend that you join the Victorian Sweatshop forum, because the wealth of knowledge there is considerable.
Cheers,
keramikos