Lately I've noticed an upsurge in the asking price of Singer 29-4 and 29K leather sewing machines, or " patcher machines", as they're often called.
After 30 years of using, rebuilding and selling these machines I suppose I'm qualified to share a little bit of knowledge.
There is not a single 29-4 model worth more than $400 unless its been completely restored and/or refurbished. I'm seeing asking prices of $1000 or more for these old relics and they simply are not worth it. The 29-4 is the 2nd earliest model produced by Singer and consequently are among the oldest. Sewing machines are just like any other machine...the older they are, the greater number of worn parts they have. I would estimate that 6 out of 10 29-4's I've had in the shop have had worn parts that needed replacing. Sure, they'll stitch...but they don't stitch PROPERLY. A sure sign of wear is a 29-4 that still stitches...but only provides a stitch 1/8 inch long. That's a sure sign of a likely worn lifter, bush collar , or other parts.
As for the 29K's, they range in age right up until about the 1950's. There upgrades that Singer provided every few years, and they do have a bit more user friendly controls than the 29-4's. But again, some sellers on Ebay are reaching for the stars when wanting $1000 for one. Surprisingly, they're even asking this ridiculous amount for a machine without a treadle base. That is completely unrealistic.
'BUT ITS AN ANTIQUE AND RARE ! " they say. True, they're antiques. Rare ? Not so much. These Singer machines were mass produced....like any other mass produced , assembly line machine, they were made to be tools, not works of art. That means they have poor finishes on the body castings, the cheapest iron in the parts as possible, etc.
Don't get me wrong...a properly functioning Singer 29 is a great machine for what its intended to do. A word of warning though: If you buy a 29-4, be prepared to soon start putting parts into it. If buying a 29K, be prepared in the future to remove the lower horn, replace the drive gears and shuttle stem screw. Old machines wear out....its just that simple.
As for parts...nope, Singer no longer produces original Simanco parts for these 29 series. Every new part you'll get for it comes from China or Taiwan. As for used Singer brand parts....its a gamble. Any part subject to wear and tear and is being offered up for sale is likely being sold for a reason. Its worn out.
"Hard parts" such as bobbin winders, drive arms, etc are ok to buy as used for they don't get subjected to wear as do drive gears, rods, shuttle carriers, etc.
In closing, don't pay more than $400 for a Singer 29-4....don't pay more than $550 to $600 for a good running 29K model. They're worth that, and not much more unless it's a Singer 29K long arm, and they're not worth more than $650 to $700 tops. If they work and the seller can PROVE they work, ok. If they've been completely restored, paint and all...make sure it works as good as it looks.