Now Playing Supernova getting closer….
Sep 6th, 2006 | By Gidget | Category: MachinesMy DML shipped me her 1950′s Necchi Supernova Ultra machine about a year? ago. The cord had crumbled with age. A very sweet lady online at the Fashion Incubator forum was able to help me get a new cord. It arrived yesterday and it fits perfect!
I oiled and cleaned her up, plugged her in, the needle bar went up and down humming along for a few minutes – then it got really sluggish. It seems the belt is worn. No easy matter since the balance wheel is stuck and won’t come off to replace the belt. The best I could find on the net were pictures of a lady dismantling her balance wheel, holding the pieces in her hands, as if they just ‘slide right off’. (** 05/2008 I’ve since learned that Kerosene works WONDERS on removing stuck parts. Just dribble a few drops and wait – I’ve also heard Rubbing Alchohol and Peroxide can do the same thing. Though I haven’t tried that. ) After prying and tugging and pulling neither me or DH could get that wheel off. So…. Next best thing was to put some talc on the rubber belt and hope that it helps. She did start running again.
So, I went to put a needle in it and the needle clamp is missing the screw to put the needle in. I took the clamp off an old singer, put it on, and it slipped right off. Ahh well… gotta get one of those.
The bobbin case was missing the tension screw and clamp, so gotta get one of those too. Unfortunately, the bobbin cases I have for class 15 bobbins all point to the right, while a Necchi bobbin case leans to the left. Told my husband I knew there was a reason I liked those Italians!
The machine is gorgeous. Very sleek pinky-tan and cream. It is still in it’s original wooden table and from everything that I’ve read online it sews beautifully – even through multiple layers of leather goods. I guess I can wait a little longer. After pricing the manual, bobbin case, needle clamp assebly and a missing screw, it comes to about $58. So, I’ll save my pennies and patiently wait.. I know it will be worth waiting for!
I’ve named her Layla after Eric Clapton’s Layla. She’s got a knee pedal too, fits. lol.
I saw your note about finding a power cord for the controller at the Fashion Incubator. I too have a Necchi Supernova that is in need of a new controller cord. If you could forward me the information on how to reach this lady, I would greatly appreciate it. I am trying to fix up the machine for my daughter.
Thanks….
I also have the Necchi Automatic Supernova Ultra – It was mothers. She bought it new in 1955. I use it all the time until recently. The belt needs to be replaced and I have not been able to find one. I have both books on the machine and no place do they have model numbers for any of the parts. Does anyone have information or part number for the belt? I would appreciate any information I can get on this. Thanks, vjorgens@juno.com
Hi Vivian, I too had to get some new belts. I took the old one with me to the local sew and vac center, at their request.
I bought three more (they were really cheap, about 3.00 each?). They were black rubber and the supernova requires the smallest of belts that fit the Necchi.
If you take the old one, any sewing center should be able to sell you replacements relatively cheap.
If you have to order online, you can try Allyn International at:
http://www.allynint.com/
They are the only Necchi parts supplier in the U.S. and even still have some original parts that they will sell. Hope this helps. Good Luck to you.
My husband gave me a vintage supernova automatica for christmas. I am so excited to use it, but it came with the wrong manual. I have figured out how to use the cams, but I am having trouble with just the simple zig zag, and when I straight stitch the thread breaks. Could I get a copy of your manuals? I can hardly wait to get sewing!
Thanks!
Hi Roxanne,
I don’t have mine scanned for upload yet and won’t have some time, as other things have come up. The best place to find the information fast is the Necchi SM Club on Yahoo groups. The owner of that list also has http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Necchi_Sewing_Circle/ They can help you for sure.
I was wondering what a Necchi Supernova Ultra sewing machine is worth. It come enclosed in a cherrywood table with drawers and table top.
Thank you,
Kellie
I don’t know, Kellie. Condition, ease of purchase, etc swing the prices anywhere from 20$ to 150.00 Tables included bring higher prices. The best way to find out is to look for one similar on ebay, craigslist, etc. Whatever the market will bear is going to be the value.
Personally, I believe the old (non-plastic) Necchi’s are incredibly finely machined tools and are truly a joy to own. If you are interested in sewing, it is definitely a keeper and honor to have one. If not, you might want to check the Yahoo Necchi User’s Group for a potential Necchi-fanatic that would give it a loving home.
My mother gave me hers. It’s gray and cream, not so girly, but it’s quite THE machine. Just changed the carbon brushes and it works like a power tool!
Sad thing is mine has a problem with the the floss tensor, I can do everything else, except sewing straight! LOL
In my home country sewing machines are quite expensive, more than a month’s salary, and new ones are made of plastic, so I will do my best to get the tensor.
Hi Sandra, Thank you for commenting.
It’s a shame that your Supernova won’t sew straight. Unless your interested in crazy quilting, there are two groups on Yahoo that are terrific for home sewing machine repairs, the wefixit group (they talk about everything and are extremely helpful) and the NECCHI group. There is a lady on the Necchi group, Peggy Larson who runs the group, and Lila from Italy, are a terrific help in finding parts.
I have two Supernovas. one came with the cabinet chair all the attachments and cams and feet, the oil bottle the brush, NOT the screwdriver, the owners manual and suplemental manual and the buyers protection card dated Dec 4 1959. I cleaned it and of course it sews. I need to get a new belt but it works pretty good the way it is. I sew mostly heaveir stuff with it. I first tried heavy poly reinforced PVC vinyl with a folded glued nylon for edging a customer requested. It will sew it with a nice Zig Zag and some HEAVY canvas thread in a 120 18 needle. I also make some pretty nice dog beds using the same thread and needle on tapestry and upholstery material that you have to wedge under the presser foot when you have four layers. I find if you lift the presser foot lever up when it is allready up you can get ti to go another 1/ 16 of and inch or more to aid in stuffing the material in.
The Necchis have a fluid smoothness that is very soothing compared to some machines. I recently got an old Universal that I really like as it is so pretty and is very smooth. You can check out the Suopernova compared to a Morse and see the Universal make its test sew debut. http://www.youtube.com/user/sewingmachineheaven
I love the quality of the old machines and I am amazed when I see one and know it has been working since before I was born and willprobably be working long after I’m gone.
I’m looking for an oscillating hook for my other SUpernova it sews OK but has trouble going for long distances without shredding the needle thread, I can see dings and pits and scratches where the needle has damaged it and I’m sure that is the problem. My second machine was bought on ebay AS IS and it had the stitch selector froze. I had to oil and work it loose for about 45 min before it got free. I has a lot of miles on it and was caked with nicotine stains inside and out. The filthiest thing I ever cleaned, I had to use carberator cleaner on some of it. But its solid and will be fine with a new hook.
You can E me at stitch_shifter@hotmail.com if you have a Necchi machine, part, book, or attachment you want to get rid of.
Happy sewing!! >;o)
Jake, thank you for the comment. You make a great case for Necchi and I completely agree with you. They are true gems and addictive once you start to collect them. Still, these machines should not languish in a collection but deserve to be used – day in and day out! I’m glad to hear from another Necchi Lover!
I have just inherited supernova from my nans. The light comes on and when i press the pedal it makes the normal noise and the balance wheel turns but the needle doesn’t move. I have searched the manual and tried everything i can think off but cannot get it to work properly. Any ideas how i could get it to work?
kerry
Hi Kerry,
There is a yahoo group called “wefixit” that will be able to help you. Lots of sewing machine repair folks on there. Sounds as if it might be a bent needle bar, but they could advise you the best. A very helpful crew!
Gidget
My Aunt handed to me my Grandmother’s Necchi machine. I oiled it up going by the manuals. I got all ready to see the thing start to sew, pushed the pedal , heard the motor running but NOTHING. No movement at all. IS the belt gone bad?
Hey guys I just piked this same model up at the local dump. Along with a pfaff 230 and dressmaker deluxe. Wandering if this machine is industrial is it will it sew throught leather??
re: necchi supernova automatica (1950s)
Does anyone know anything about the transformer wiring. (The little black box under the machine .. where the power cord plugs in.)
My machine worked great after I fixed the power cord. That is until, I was tightening the front toggle switch and accidentally spilled the wires out.
Now, I have a loose green wire and don’t know what to do with it. My light doesn’t work anymore, either. So, I am thinking they might have something in common.
I was fortunate to pick the machine up “on the cheap” intact and with the manuals. Unfortunately, there is nothing about wiring or the transformer … Grrrr.
If anyone can help that would be great.
patricia
Hi, just purchased a supernova ultra from the local rubbish dump, there is wispy white smoke that evaporates like dry-ice smoke that comes out of the top of it when it is running, but it does not smell of anything. I have run it for a fare while and the motor seems fine. I was hoping that it was oil on some parts smoking up or something as the machine is very well oiled. The machine is skipping stitches but I am hoping a new needle will fix that up. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Frankie.
Hi Frankie,
It sounds like oil to me too, however it should burn off and not continue. There is a yahoo group called “wefixit” that will be able to help you. Lots of sewing machine repair folks on there. They could advise you the best. A very helpful crew!
Gidget
There is also a yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/necchisewingmachineclub
They have LOTS of online information about the Necchis. If you haven’t tried going there for tips, it is worth the look-see. They are a great bunch of people and they have catalogued quite a bit of information.
Hi Gidget, I notice its one of the SNU Ultras that is capable of being treadled. That’s what the holes over near the back of the machine are for, the treadle part. Polly, from the Necchi group, may still have an excerpt of a manual that shows how to set up the machine for treadle work. It will work with all its stitches that way, assuming you’ve got it working. And then it will be a pink “green” machine. Won’t clash a bit. I’ve got one and what I found is that it will fit into a Singer treadle base, and that the hinge pins for the Singer base will need to be shaved down a bit in order to fit into its hinge pin holes. Others suggest boring out the hinge pin holes, but I think, leave the machine as it is, and mess with a few bits of replacable hardware.
Hi Donna,
Thank you for your comments. Since this post was made, I’ve become a Necchi fanatic and have three of them. One for parts from Ebay, one I purchased from a Necchi user and this one. The two are working really well. The pink one has it’s original Necchi cabinet. The one I purchased, the user had already restored it and put it in a singer cabinet. And yes, they will treadle! The Necchis and my two industrials are the best machines in the shop and I look forward to a lifetime with them. Necchi’s are truly a pleasure to own but most of all, to use!
# Gidget June 3rd, 2009 10:04 pm :
Hi Sandra, Thank you for commenting.
It’s a shame that your Supernova won’t sew straight. Unless your interested in crazy quilting, there are two groups on Yahoo that are terrific for home sewing machine repairs, the wefixit group (they talk about everything and are extremely helpful) and the NECCHI group. There is a lady on the Necchi group, Peggy Larson who runs the group, and Lila from Italy, are a terrific help in finding parts.
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Thanks, Gidget, for sharing info about my Yahoo Necchi group! However, I don’t know who Peggy Larson is, so far as I know isn’t on the list. But I’m the owner and would love to have any Necchi lovers or potential Necchi lovers come join us at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/necchisewingmachineclub/
Lila is one of our members and she *is* very helpful, as are many others we have. Are you on the list? Can’t find a “Gidget” but maybe by another name? If not, do come join us!
Polly Lacy
Oh My! I must have been watching an old movie with Peggy Larson when I put that name. lol At least I got the initials right! I apologize.
gidget=joyce (my real name is Gidget Joyce Lynn O’Hara-Barrett). If I join something where I might buy something, I use Joyce. I bought Theresa’s SU from her in Tenn. and the Necchi thread collection. You and I last talked a couple of years ago about the spools of thread I’d found on ebay.
I am looking for transformer for my sewing machine i only have high speed one of th wires burned from old age i also need a schmacit to be able wire it back to runing condition. if any one knows where i can find the transformar call at 970 2472435 thankyou