Well here it is! A lovely little vintage sewing machine, a Frister & Rossmann Cub 4. It seems a bit like a toy one standing beside the Singer but it isn't. They were made in Japan in the 'seventies.
It's a 3/4 size machine which despite being an all metal machine only weighs about 15 pounds compared to my lovely old Singer which weighs in at 27 pounds.
I love the case it came in, you can just see it behind the sewing machine. It's is very lightweight compared to my wooden Singer box. The whole thing looks quite modern despite being made in the 'seventies, looks a bit retro with those cream & brown colours & the little band of orange logos around the case.
It didn't come with any attachments other than it's foot control & the zig zag foot. That's not a problem as all my Singer attachments fit it.
There was a little box missing from the front (you can use it to hold accessories) as you can see from the photo below.
However that wasn't a problem as I got one really cheap on eBay so it's complete now. The box lid unfolds to extend the sewing area & there's a dinky little shelf that lifts up on the left side.
It's all really sweet & a clever design.
The only thing I really don't like is the bobbin loading. It doesn't load as easily as the Singers do with their top loading drop in bobbins. With this you have to take the little box out from the front and poke about to remove the metal casing which holds the bobbin.
I find I have to tilt the machine backwards & lie it down to see what I'm doing. Another problem is that you have no idea how much thread is on the bobbin when you're sewing as it's completely hidden inside the casing & under the machine. What a pain! Never mind I'll get used to it, quite a lot of the more modern machines have this too.
It sews a lovely straight stitch but it doesn't do any zig zag stitches. No idea why as it's been oiled and all the bits move except the needle bar. Maybe something is jammed in which case it may unjam as I use it. However it's very clean inside so it's more likely something has broken off somewhere inside. I've taken the base off & all that dropped out was a pin. I suspect that's why I got the machine cheap.
I've looked inside but compared to the Singer the gubbins are packed in there tight & you can't see much, unlike my Singer where you can see all the parts. Also with Singer because they cornered the market with sales many people collect & repair these vintage machines & kindly share their knowledge by making videos & posting on blogs which help you to sort any problems out.
Not so with the little Frister but I don't mind as I really only need a lightweight machine to take to the quilting group & to do a decent straight stitch. Any of the fancy stuff like zig zag & a few embroidery stitches can be done on my old Singer at home. I also really don't need the bells & whistles that come with a new plastic machine so will see how things go.
There was a bit of a feelgood factor about this purchase. I bought the machine on eBay from a hospice so apart from being environmentally friendly & giving a lovely old machine a new home, the money was going to a good cause.
UPDATE
This post was updated as I managed to fix the zig zag problem! Take a look Here
Love your treasured find.
ReplyDelete9-10-18 Today is Sewing Machine Day -- date of issuance of an early sewing machine patent, to Elias Howe; some sites call this "Sew Be It! Day"
Oops, June 13th is National Sewing Machine Day. Sorry:-(
ReplyDeleteWell I never knew there was a sewing machine day! How lovely, thanks for this.
DeleteHow interesting....that bobbin case looks like a dead ringer for my old and much loved 'Nelco'. I finally wore it out and a tooth chipped off the gear that does button holes. boo hoo. You got yourself a sweet little machine! How nice.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletelove this machine, but in moving house, we lost the foot pedal and flexes. Really cross as the quality of my little cub is higher than most new machines on the market today. Has anyone a defunct machine which has a working pedal etc
ReplyDeletersvp 01133453136
Sorry just seen your comment. You could contact Helen Howes, she supplies parts and lots of advice about older sewing machines. I'm updating my post and thanks to Helen I got my machine zigging and zagging again! You can contact her at http://www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk/emailme.html
DeleteI don't have a spare but I've just discovered a website that sells all sorts of sewing machine spare parts, including items for the Cub 4. It is www.sewingparts.co.uk.
ReplyDeleteMy little machine has been in use on and off since I bought it new around 1975/6. It's now working overtime as I've joined my local 'We Love Scrubs' group making scrubs outfits and accessories for hospitals, hospices, care homes, etc in the area. Fingers crossed that both Cub 4 and I can stand the pace!
i have just been given a Cup 4 and what a charm it is, but mine also doesnt zigzag, please get in touch if you work out whats wrong /what we are doing wrong:)
ReplyDeleteI have just fixed my Cub 4 so it can now zigzag 😁.
ReplyDeleteSo my problem was under the top lid. I took that off, then right in the middle there are 7 pieces of metal which looks like UK 50p coins. To the right of that (u need a torch to look in) there is a little arm that touches the coins and connects to the stitch selector dial plate further right. Well that arm wasnt moving at all when I spun the dial around. So I poked a screwdriver inthere and just flicked the arm gently and wupti it came unstuck and is now moving happily from coin to coin. Hope that makes sense and works for you too:)
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, just seen your comment.
ReplyDeleteI can't get in touch as you have no details showing.
I've updated the post to let you know what happened.
Forgot to put the link https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8362836138711754490/1970082027892177782
ReplyDeleteI have the original instruction book for the Cub 4 which I can scan and send to you if you wish. Louise
ReplyDeleteSorry Louise I didn't see your comment. Since the Blogger changes I don't seem to get notifications of posts in my main email folders.
DeleteThank you Louise but I already have the instruction manual for the Cub 4.
Please send me too Louise.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't supplied an email address on your profile yet. Without that nobody can contact you.
DeleteHi, I am a sewing newbie with a Cub4. I was hoping for a little guidance/help - would you be willing to assist me?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi, I emailed you but I don't seem to have received an answer. I will help if I can, just ask. I'm no expert with the machine yet but I think I'm getting there!
ReplyDeleteI am the proud owner of a cub4 which i bought in late seventies. Was highly amused by people calling it vintage but i guess i am vintage too!!! Have used it on and off all these years...made my own clothes..clothes for my kids..my sofa and curtains..and now my daughter and i are making her wedding dress ...love my little vintage cub xxx
ReplyDeleteHello all, I am a total newbie to sewing, my partner got me a lovely frister and rossmann cub 3, but when I am trying to sew, it is balling up all the cotton on the underside? I have read it is probably the top tension, how do I dchange this and how do I change the bobbin tension, sorry for being such a ding bat, but no manual and no idea, thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteI can't contact you direct to send you any photos of how you alter the tension as you have not given any contact details.
ReplyDeleteIt may be the tension but I'd check other things first. I'm used to using an old Singer which is really easy to thread and alter the tension but the Frister is more difficult.
First I would make sure the machine is threaded correctly and with a good quality thread. Next check the bobbin is inserted correctly. I find the front loading bobbin is harder to set up than the drop in type.
Also make sure the needle is sharp that can affect how the machine sews. If it's blunt it won't pick up the bobbin thread properly and could cause the type of problem you're having.
If you are new to sewing don't start sewing at the edge of the fabric, it often doesn't catch the fabric and start to sew immediately. It's good to have a little piece of fabric folded over that you put under the machine foot and start to stitch in the middle of it then go straight onto the fabric you want to sew. .
It would be a good idea to buy a copy of the manual, they aren't expensive and it shows how to use the machine, how to oil it and use the attachments. You can download a copy here for £4.95 http://sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/fristercub3/ that's about the cheapest I have found.
Luckily my machine had a manual or I would have struggled threading it and inserting the bobbin even though I've sewn with my Singer for years!
Best of luck!
hi anyone out there have a CUB 4 manual for this version, not the version with the tensioner at the front about the needle, but the one just like this.....can't believe I've wasted so much money downloading incorrect versions.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately nobody can contact you as you have posted anonymously.
ReplyDeleteI have the manual which came with the machine thankfully.
This ink should have the correct manual but you can check the pages to make sure before you downlaod.
You can get in touch with me via my blogger profile.
Best of luck.
Oops forgot to post the link again https://www.sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/fristercub3/
ReplyDelete