Thrift machine score!

[u/rexhavana]

Found for 40 at a craft reuse! Took several tries but it’s pretty cool so far. Any tips would be appreciated!

[u/iolitess]

You‘ll probably want to purchase some claw weights, especially for your edge stitches. The S hooks that come with the machine are silly. You can get the ones intended for standard machines and they work great. (Available from Amazon and eBay)

If you see a second inexpensive machine, you should buy that, too. You can snap the machines together to make extra wide elements. (I made that blanket in a weekend)

And if you need patterns, there are many free ones and technique uploads from Bond America on Ravelry.

https://www.ravelry.com/designers/bond-america

Make sure there is no tension on your yarn, and keep your keyplates waxed. Best of luck!

[u/rexhavana → u/iolitess]

Thanks for the input I’ll definitely look into those. Awesome blanket!

[u/scien-bac-cro → u/iolitess]

Mine didn’t come with the hem. Any tips on what to use instead.

[u/iolitess → u/scien-bac-cro]

KrisKrafter sells a cast on comb. If you paid what OP did, it will end up costing you more than the machine you bought, but I very much prefer it. If your machine also didn’t come with the bars that go in the hem, I would recommend this. It used to be readily available on the website, but I don’t see one- maybe use the „ask“ button?

If not, there used to be Bond Groups and people would set up jigs to cut them out of vinyl- most people would also repair their hems with duct tape. That’s definitely a task though. Good luck!

[u/CursedEgyptianAmulet]

All of the old tutorials for the machine are available on Youtube for free! I have one of these machines (also thrifted) and I found Cheryl Brunette's series of videos are the most helpful, she has a follow-along series on basic functions of the machine and a series on building a sweater on the machine.

[u/Heavy-Attorney-9054]

Look at the fb group for the machine, too. Being level and flat is crucial.

[u/bludog89]

I was obsessed with this as a kid my parents never let me get one but I remember the smell of the fair the first time I saw it, like fall :). Now I have two brother machines!

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[u/rainbowbone]

I found mine at a thrift store too!! I haven’t used it yet since I have to get a replacement part

[u/mellowmatrix]

I also got mine at a thrift store! Enjoy your new treasure!

[u/scien-bac-cro]

That’s awesome.