Featured Sewing machine desk

Hello there folks! I have had this old sewing machine base kicking around here since 2008.
I picked it up on the side of the road, it was being thrown out.

I decided to finally do something with it and have built a new top for it. But still need to build a droor or three under the desk's top.

It should make an ideal computer desk, or a sewing machine table! Go figure haha

I am not sure however what year the cast metal sewing machine base is from. Any ideas?
I searched a bit, but haven't found anything yet.

Here are a couple pics bringing you up to date to where the project is now.

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The exposed unstained plywood is the top. You can see the Craig jig screws fastening the maple noseing on.
But once the tile is siliconed into place it will all be hidden.

The bottom side turned out decent as well.
The stain I had was black. But I cut it with gasoline to create a grey stain.
This tile was 2 feet by 4 feet! It got cut down to 2feet by 3feet. the tile isn't siliconed down yet.
I need to get some more maple, and decide what I'm doing for droors.

It's been a fun little project so far tho!

 

Very nice!
Maybe Shangas can help with dating it.
Unless there have been noticeable design differences over time these were made for a long time and may be hard to even guess the decade.

 

Quite a nice shape.

Debora

 

I love it just as it is, and it makes a great side table in any room.

 

Nice job of converting something old to modern use!

As for "how old" - note that the name ROYAL has been incorporated into the scrolling on the side supports. Not sure what that means, but others may know.

 

Very nice! I always think sewing machine bases are so underrated; there's so much you could do with one if you are creative. Yet you can't barely give them away usually.

I really like what you did with yours.

 

You are SO correct. I think I have one disassembled and packed away waiting.......

 

1880's sounds like a nice vintage for it!!!

 

1880 eh?
Nice, it's most deffinently old!

 

Thanks for all the feedback folks

 

Found a history of the Royal Machine Co. of Birmingham, England. Seems the company was formed c1868 and ceased operations in 1888. The competition of the Singer sewing machine company and that of Jones more or less put them out of business. The following website has a history of Royal. About 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down the page under the section "Royal Machine Manufacturing Company 1882" is one of their advertisements showing a treadle & cabinet model. The scrolling legs look similar to your table.

http://www.sewalot.com/Royal_sewing_machine_sewalot.htm

--- Susan

 

OOOOOH!!!!! NICE find Susan!!!!!

 

There are hundreds of those around here in the Uk, Singer usually.
They get used for garden tables and often pubs use them too. Its nice to see them put to good use.

Yours looks great.

 

Thanks!

We don't really have a spot for it, or need for it.
I'm thinking of selling it. But it will be hard to sell once it's finished, and I have no idea what to ask for it.

The cast metal base has c shaped legs/ verticals.
I could easily hide wire and run it up the inside of the metal base.
Then have a plug on the back side of the droors with hdmi plug ins.

And have the plug/ cord for the desk coming out of the metal base at standard plug level.

Install some led lights inside the droors that illuminate when the droor is open, and it would be a pretty fancy unit

And hard to let go of/ sell in sure..

 

Until recently, old sewing machine bases were selling for 20 or 30 dollars. Right now, bases alone, are selling for 75 to 100 in as found condition.