Portable Electric
Admiral
Atlas
Brewer
Brother
Domestic
Dressmaker
Electro Hygiene
Elna
Elna SU
Eldridge
Free-Westinghouse
Kenmore
Montgomery Ward
Mercury
Morse
Necchi
Nelco
Phoenix
Singer 15-
Singer 24-
Singer 99-
Singer 99 knee
Singer 128-13
Singer 128 Black
Singer 185
Singer 201
Singer 221
Singer 237
Singer 301
Singer 306
Singer 319
Singer 360
Singer 401
Singer 404
Singer 500a
Singer 513
Singer 560
Singer 620
Singer 646
Singer 1036
Singer 2430
Singer Graduate
Sonata
Universal
Universal DST
Visetti
White
White Rotary
Treadle
Household
Howe
Singer Lotus
Singer Redeye
Weed
Wheeler & Wilson
Wilcox & Gibbs
Winselmann Titan
Hand Crank
Singer 99
Silberberg
Childrens
Elna
Singer

Singer 500A Slant-O-Matic Slant Needle

singer 500A

The Singer 500A Slant-O-Matic is sometimes referred to as the "Rocketeer" due to its space-age styling. After the Singer Featherweight, this machine seems to have the greatest following according to a Singer dealer we were talking with.

The wavy pattern on the red and black quilt fabric banner above was sewn using this Singer 500.

The needle is slanted bringing it closer to the user for better visibility. There were arguments that the slant provides better penetration, but we wonder about that since it seems farther through fabric at an angle than straight through it. We have seen one sew through eight layers of denim and some claim they can be used to sew canvas, etc. Ours only sews two thickness of 100 percent cotton quilt fabric!

Singer 500 Slant-O-Matic

When it comes to a vintage all-metal machine that is the most versatile using built-in capability, this is our best one. By varying the two controls on the top-center of the machine, a wide variety of stitch patterns emerge. Also, cams or special disks can be purchased which increases the number and variety of stitch patterns.

Some folks claim this is the last of the good metal machines. After making these machines, the industry began using space-age plastics for some parts, however, the change effects the way the machine sounds and feels. There is no question that the newer machines have more capability such as drawing graphics, stopping the needle at the desired point, ease of making buttonholes, etc. Still, for those of us who like all things mechanical, we prefer heavy metal.

The 500A Slant-O-Matic feature moves the needle over 1-inch closer to the operator. The average bed is 7 inches wide and the needles are usually centered. On the Slant-O-Matic, the needle is less than 2-1/2 inches from the edge of the bed. This is a significant difference for some of us old people with failing vision. 

We have two of these machines, which were found within a few days of each other. The first 500A we obtained was found sitting beside the road for any passerby to pick up. It also contained an accessory pack containing five special cams. Although the machine was free, we spent nearly $200 to get a minor repair and purchase a few more disks and other accessories designed just for the slant needle.

Picture of Jim

In the photograph above, Jim is carrying his second Singer 500A across Sheetz's parking lot in New Philadelphia, Ohio in September 2006. He has a big smile because he paid only $25 for it at the blue Goodwill store seen in the distance

For the sample, Jim moved the selectors to different position to see a few of the various patterns produced using built-in features of the 500A. The notations represent the setting of the outer dial, inner dial, and stitch width.