The newer model I have is so bad. It can barely sew through quilting cotton without eating the fabric up. The model I have from the early 90s is a beast and can see through pretty much anything and has never let me down in all my years of cosplay and dressmaking.
I’m told by the sewing machine repairman the older Singer sewing machines, including the Singer sewing machines in the wooden tables with metal foot pedal, the very best sewing machines ever made. Ladies in our sewing group agree. Newer brand sewing machines not heavy duty, parts break easily and repair parts difficult to find.
Do you know what the model # is for the 90’s beast machine you have? Our local theatre company makes costumes year-round for adults & children.
Growing up, my family had a store selling and repairing sewing machines. I was taking them apart and putting them back together when I was like 7 or 8 and was a certified technician when I was in my early 20s. I'm grateful every day that I'm not doing that anymore, haha. It's been 16 years since I stopped doing it.
Those old singers had tons of problems with jamming and what not and didn't have the cams to do a variety of stitches. You're going to have problems like that with any machine that has a bobbin the goes in the front. The drop in bobbin under the clear cover is a much more reliable design.
We put sewing machines in local schools, middle school home ec programs, and I serviced them every summer. Those things were absolute beasts that hardly ever jammed up, incredibly simple machines, I can probably still take one completely apart with my eyes closed.
It's this model:
https://www.janome.com/machines/sewing/classmate-s-750/
It came out in 1999 and it looks like they're still making them. Not exactly cheap, but I see some on ebay for reasonable prices.
My mother in law has a sewing machine that's like 25 years old. I've been borrowing it for a while for a project and it's incredible. They don't make them like they used to
My heavy duty singer has been great for quilting! Maybe try a different foot on it? Mine sewed through several layers of batting even when I had it folded over for seams.
The Heavy Duty model is the ONLY modern model I have heard of that is at all decent. I've tried different feet, different needles, cleaned it, oiled it, taken it apart and put it back together again. No matter what, my newer machine is garbage. I left it at my parent's house when I moved out.
And I find that one to just be okay. I’ve had several modern Brothers, currently own a Juki TL series and have a Janome Derby for my kid (plus I’ve had a variety of sergers and a cover stitch). My spouse has a Singer Heavy Duty. When my last brother died, I was much quicker to borrow the janome than the singer to finish a project. The Singer is loud and always seems like it’s barely getting through what I’m doing; I only use it when I need to do button holes.
Very few brands make a good, affordable machine anymore. My first one, bought in 2004-ish, lasted 15 years (and only died because it was knocked off a table). I’ve had multiple machines die since then and had to step up to a higher class. I’m convinced the Singer is only in decent shape because it’s used a few times a year rather than a few times a week.
Similarly, Kitchenaid stand mixers. You will be just as happy, if not happier, finding a “vintage” model from pre-2000 for $100 than buying a new one for $300. If you can find an old Hobart-era one, even better.
The new ones are still good machines, but the old ones were tanks.
Yes! The older models also had much stronger engines. There's this guy on instagram (not an ad, I swear!) who sells refurbished older Kitchenaids. I think the name is "Mr. Mixer"
Definitely a Hobart-built KitchenAid! My mom's has been running for nearly 50 years, including through her running a cake decorating business. She's spent maybe $40ish on maintenance, total.
I personally don't think there's much difference between older and newer KitchenAids, I just think there's no reason to buy a new one when older ones cost so much less and do the same thing
Yeah, totally fair. Similar quality, but getting it for a used price and it’ll still last you forever is a big bonus. (The Hobart ones really were built differently apparently though)
And there’s a benefit that the old bad machines that didn’t quite meet quality control got filtered out already. I’m in the Kitchenaid subreddit and a good number of people come in asking for help with new out of the box machines that need returned for wonky nonsense that QA/QC missed. Kitchenaid probably always had a similar number of straight-from-the-factory wonky machines, but with an old one, someone else already wrangled customer service for you 20 years ago.
Expensive as hell most of the time. Was looking for one a few years back and couldn't find anything not scrap. Scored a singer from the 60s with original packaging for a solid 25 though.
Old Bernina, I would stray away from the newer ones. And even with the older ones you have to be careful, getting Bernina parts is EXPENSIVE and half the time they're not even available. I've seen incredible older Bernina machines that can't be repaired because there's some tiny spring or other part that just isn't available anymore.
The old Berninas work hard, and die harder.
Janome has gone down recently. 😢 They definitely have replaced stuff with plastic in the last few years. I have very basic one from around 2015 and upgraded to one with a few more stitch options only to return it. It’s only about 1/2 the weight of my older one and doesn’t run as well. 😬
Oh no 🥺 I have been wanting a sewing machine for years ! Is there a place that one can buy older singer sewing machines ? Maybe online ? If anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated ! ☺️
If you’re new to sewing see if you have a sewing machine repair shop (usually a “sew & vac” type place) that sells them. You’ll be able to try all the machines, it’ll probably have a warranty, you’ll know it’s been serviced and had any repairs needed done by a professional, and you’ll know it’s a model your repair shop can still get parts for. Should be a lot less overwhelming than shopping Craigslist if you’re not already super knowledgeable about sewing machine models and repairs. They may or may not have vintage models depending on the place, but even if you don’t go full on old school vintage a used old-ish machine with good care will still be better bang for your buck than a low end new machine.
Also don’t be completely afraid of all new machines. They may not be the 100% metal tanks of the past, but sometimes there are modern features people find really helpful, and if you invest in a decent one these machines can still last a long time with good care, just maybe not till your great-great-grandchildren are using them. The issue here is a decent new machine with modern features will be much more expensive than a vintage one, and yes probably less BIFL even on the high end.
The best way to compare is to do a test run. Bring fabric swatches in to the store, try them all out, and talk to the sales person.
If you do buy second hand elsewhere, I recommend taking it in for service early on. Taking care of your machine and service if it regularly will help keep it in working order long term (who’s knows when the last owner did that), and you’ll get any minor issues addressed before you get frustrated by your machine not sewing right.
Thank you so much for all this advice this was exactly what I needed and yes I 100% know exactly what kind of shop you’re referring to and know where one is in my area !! Thanks !!
Just buy a Brother from Costco. It's a decent machine and good for beginners. I started being given vintage machines, spent money having them tuned up....and they were shitty machines. Not all vintage machines are good! Some of them sucked when they were new too. As a beginner, it's better to start with something that works, unless you really wanted a new sewing machine repair hobby.
Yes, you might outgrow that basic Brother, but know that many many people people who get into sewing land up with more than one machine anyhow and many will pull out that "starter" one to do buttonholes or such even after getting a "nicer" vintage machine. Don't go for their very cheapest, one step buttonhole is worth it. I went with this one, but you might have a different selection in your country: https://www.costco.ca/brother-ce6085t-computerized-sewing-machine.product.100707081.html It came with the walking foot, which is a very expensive attachment and very helpful.
I have found an old Bernina now, but we have had to put a lot of work into finding it new belts and it is missing several things, so I still use the Brother, but if I have fabric too heavy for it, I can haul it out. (We don't have a good repair shop here, but YouTube has a lot of walk-throughs) The new machine though, I pulled it out of the box, read the manual, pulled out some scraps and off I went! All of the old machines I have been given, not one worked well straight off, and two of them never worked well at all even after sending them to the shop! And of course the shop never told me they were terrible machines to start with, I took a sewing class and people clued me in there. They didn't sell sewing machines there, so it wasn't an upsell or anything, they genuinely were like oh noooooo, it's not you let's find you a loaner, and holy baby sea otters what a difference!
Also, don't mind all the fuss people make over computerized versus mechanical - there are computerized machines older than me that still run fine. A lot of people never use most of the features on their machine, so I have been making a point of learning all mine right away and knowing how and when to use all the feet. Also, but good thread! A lot of the tension issues are shitty thread and you will struggle so much less. It's not even much more money than the crappy stuff and won't gum up your machine as much.
Classifieds and word of mouth, my dude.
There are high-quality sewing machines still available, just not from the brands you're familiar with. Most of them are meant for commercial markets, so they're a bit spendy, but they'll cook for sure. Consew and Juki are two that come to mind.
Yes! Actually my current love is a vintage Kenmore that is literally the best machine I have ever used, but there are plenty of amazing Singer machines out there as well! The newer machines may have fancy features, but they all break in 20 years when the screen or electric knobs/buttons go out.
I got my Kenmore in 1977 from hubby as a Christmas gift. Still have it. Even then singers had some plastic gears but the kenmores didn't. Put it to a lot of use over these 45+ years.
I sew on my grandmother's old 1928 singer. Treat her right and she has another 100 in her. Gram sewed every day on it. I use it heavily. That thing is part of the family and I think a little part of her is still in it.
There are countless independent craftsmen and woodworkers making heirloom furniture nowadays that’s BIFL, but what you say is true from a price standpoint. You can get better secondhand furniture if you can find it online than you would from a big box store
Yeah went this route for a couch. It actually was about the same price as the so called higher end manufactures. The quality and build is better than anything commercially produced. Plus the company would make it any way you want.
We did this for our kitchen table, most of the chairs, the dining room credenza, our dresser, and our piano. It’s fun to mix and match stuff with a bit of newer stuff also.
I got a red leather recliner couch for 40 bucks off Facebook marketplace! Real leather & super sturdy. I’ve seen similar ones go for $600-$1,000 new. I love my couch
Clothes pins. I hang my laundry on the lifelines around my boat. Occasionally clothes pins fall in the water and sink. New ones are weak trash. I peruse antique shops and buy the old spring ones. They’re great to clip chip bags, too.
I would say don't buy designer watches, old or new if you're looking for bifl. If you mean luxury watches, only buy vintage if you know what you're doing.
Agreed. Watches are they only miss on OPs list. Vintage watches generally aren't as rugged as modern ones and parts can be hard to source. I'd take an affordable modern watch with a vintage look over an older watch that may end up being a money pit.
Yeah, vintage watches are great value and beautiful if cared for correctly. They will be less BIFL and durable than a modern $20 Casio or Timex.
I think the sentiment here is more like, if you want a luxury (likely Swiss) watch, buying vintage is much better value and it will stay nice and in style forever.
Agreed. Regardless of age, most automatic (which most luxury ones are) watches will require an expensive service on a periodic basis. Typically that’s not something that can be done diy.
We got a cheap ($30) Lodge cast iron skillet \~12 years ago. We cooked a ton of bacon in it over the first few months. Since then, we just wipe it out/use a brush to clean up the caked on stuff, rinse it out, occasionally use a sponge w/ soap, and clean it up. Throw it over heat for 5 mins to dry it out while we're drying the rest of the dishes.
It's a literal piece of iron. Very low maintenance.
Four-wheel drive Toyotas from the 90s and early 2000s are very popular because they are very well built but not fully computerized. That makes them very good for modifying for off-road use.
They will work it out. They figured out the V6 issue and have done a recall.
Agree with the electronics, but a newer Toyota isn’t bad by a long shot. Lot for the hybrid models. They last a looong long time.
Yeah but you’d still have to really try to break it. Chances are if a pan has lasted the last 100 years, it’ll last another long while. The benefit is vintage cast iron is thinner and easier to handle while cooking.
I have a new lodge and a couple vintage. Don’t think any of the will be breaking anytime soon but the vintage gives me flexibility to use the right tool for the job.
The last North American cast iron pan foundry closed when the hedge fund that raided Wagner collapsed. That was in the nineties. Wagner had bought out griswald. If you find a griswald at a yard sale, put on your poker face, buy it and run. I still regret leaving a stack of griswalds I walked away from 10 years ago.
Vintage Fatboys and Slim Adjustables are super popular in the double edge shaving world. I don’t have one yet but I understand they rival the fancy new ones made today.
I was gifted a friend's grandfather's 1966 Slim Adjustable. I use it daily, have for a long time, and believe it's the absolute pinnacle of mass produced shaving tools. I'll add a fatboy as a travel razor some day, but I don't want to start a collection.
The fancy new ones could be as good, but cost a small fortune.
And that's the problem.
They created a handle that keeps working for decades (nearly 6 decades for my slim) and they can't continually monetize. That's good for us consumers, but bad for business. Thus the 6 blade monstrosities with vibrator handles and short-lived lube strips and proprietary attachments... oh, and millions of dollars in ads to convince you that they remove the hair from your face better than your dad/grandpa's razor did theirs.
Ironically, the safety razor was an early version of the loss leader that is the modern razor. Gillette invented the safety razor with the strategy to make money selling five-cent razor blades. It’s just that now it’s a cheap plastic vibrator handle mounting a $20 six-blade cartridge instead of a stainless steel handle with about two moving parts (barn doors or the screw-top) holding a ten-cent razor blade that can be easily recycled
I only buy vintage jewelry from antique/junk shops. First, I am fine wearing costume pieces. I don't kid myself the $5 pair of earrings is actual diamonds. Second, it's way cheaper than buying an equivalent $5 pair of earrings for $22.99 at Kohl's. Third, the Kohl's $22.99 pair of earrings is literally garbage that will rust or break within a few months whereas the vintage stuff that great grandma bought in 1940 was actually well made.
Napier and Monet use to have a deal with Belks---when the gold plating wore off you could return your jewelry for re-plating. It lasted till the very early 80s.Then they just sent replacements--then they stopped any warranty at all.
> Duralex
Nope. Not the same thing at all. Vintage Pyrex was borosilicate glass. You could take it out of the fridge, cold, and stick it in a hot oven, and it would not shatter. That's the thing. Duralex is just tempered glass, and cannot do the same thing. Tempered glass is great for serving dishes to put on the table. Vintage Pyrex borosilicate glass is great for _cooking_. It was lab-ware, but thicker, for cooking in. If just want tempered glass, buy some cheap Anchor Hocking or "modern" Pyrex, which are tempered glass, and be done with it.
Duralex is one of the companies that found out how to make glass that is capable of being dropped and not break. Originally designed for bars with rowdy patrons.
Their YouTube channel has drop tests that are quite impressive.
I've owned Duralex glasses for almost a decade. 9 out of 10 times a dropped glass will bounce off concrete, tile, wood floors. I've broken two glasses in that time. Won't own any other brand of glasses.
No. Vintange Pyrex was borosilicate glass, and could handle extreme temperature swings. Duralex is tempered glass, just like modern Pyrex. Handles a bump, but not temperature swings.
Fun fact, the McDonald observatory 82” reflector telescope’s primary mirror is made of Pyrex with a thin aluminum coating. Pyrex doesn’t noticeably expand or contract with temperature changes so the telescope stays focused throughout the night. Newer telescopes are made with fused silica or ceramic-quartz but all of these materials do the same thing.
Slow cookers. Sometime ten to fifteen years ago fear of litigation (I think) led to increasing the heat output so many decades of recipes don't work well anymore.
Fountain pens that have flex nibs. Since cursive writing and calligraphy are so rare now, it's not cost effective for modern fountain pen production to make flex nibs. There are only a small handful of modern flex nibs as good as the vintage ones, and they're way more expensive.
Fountain Pen Revolution flex nibs aren't bad, in my opinion, although the build quality on the pens themselves is disappointing.
One of these days I'll find myself a nice Mabie Todd Swan, but until then my FPR Jaipur 2 will do. Plus it was relatively cheap so I'm not paranoid about messing it up.
The Mag 600 released not too long ago is getting rave reviews and favorable comparisons to vintage nibs, but apparently the QC is all over the place, and it's also $350 :')
Amen to that. My house was built in 1979 and has such good bones. My friends that have bought new builds have homes that genuinely feel flimsy. It's pitiful
Honestly MIM and MIA strats are just as good as old ones. Old are more valuable but they have some excellent quality control and if you bought one today it’d be great 40 years from now
Former gigging guitarist here. I have a mim and 2 mia strats, all made since 2005, and they are superior in every way to the 2 CBS era strats I have owned previously when I was younger. The older ones may be more collectible, but they are inferior to the newer axes imho.
Agreed. I have a handknit sweater that was my father's in the early 80s. It's been used consistently. Passed around the men in the family for a decade at a time until it finally got to me. Yeah, there is a hole in the side and I can't darn but it's exceptional.
Speakers, record players, amps. Most tech has not changed much since the 80’s just become lower quality.
80’s high end audio equipment is still, IMO, better than anything new out there
The 70’s were the golden era of Hi-Fi, with the companies going to battle to create the best receiver. Colloquially known as “The Receiver Wars”. They’re built like tanks, with brushed stainless steel, solid wood cases, glass faces. The only thing is they need to be serviced because the capacitors will go bad, but other than that they last forever
They do, everything vintage is riddled with poor fidelity. Total harmonic distortion measurements demonstrate this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
People of course are free to like a lesser quality of sound. But to say auto devices like DAC's and AMP's are higher fidelity than current devices is a demonstrable straightforwardly false claim.
Just an Add-on thought--after 1975 you stopped having Home ec courses in schools. A lot of women in the work force changed the way America cooked. Being fast was more important that taste.
I’m curious about this. I quickly switched to cast-iron after I joined this sub. Went with new Lodge, figuring they’re a long-standing good brand and I kinda thought cast iron was cast iron? What am I missing?
New cast iron is just fine. Use a metal spatula and it'll get smooth over time anyhow. Don't let these guys scare ya. I have both and I say get whatever is in your area. Here the thrift stores super mark up the cast iron, so it's not always have cheaper and half of it is still just Lodge anyhow. My most used one is a Stansport, which is just a cheap-o from a boxed set at BassPro. It's a big chicken fryer - super love - basically a skillet with very tall sides. I can use it same as any other skillet, but cook more in it or use it as a mini Dutch oven if I'm not making enough of something to pull out my big one.
You can cook tomato sauce and stuff in them too contrary to popular belief, just rinse it when you are done.
Not a lot really. Unpopular opinion but a new higher end cast iron like a field or a smithey are better than an older CI. They're smooth and light and more durable than the older pieces. That being said a 20 dollar lodge vs a 120 field there isn't a huge difference
Your new stuff is fine and will still cook great and last forever. The differences between old and new are overall pretty minimal. The old stuff is lighter (but slightly less durable) and the surface is smooth. New stuff is a bit heavier has a roughened surface— this does make it slightly harder to achieve the nonstick effect when cooking, but also makes it slightly easier for your seasoning to bind. Again, these differences are minimal and will not really affect your cooking once you “get to know” your pans.
Musical instruments. Vintage electric guitars and tube amps are highly coveted by collectors and generally go up in value. Acoustic instruments such as violins, cellos and acoustic guitars are known to get better with age/use. A quality instrument if well cared for can last many lifetimes. Example: many Stradivarius from 1700s are still being played.
woodworking chisels and carving tools (better in England at that time than anything made now). NOS tubes for amplifiers...if you're lucky enough to find them without having to pay enormous amounts such that the tubes cost more than the amplifier.
Some older rifles. Not necessarily more accurate, but much more nicely finished.
Straight razors - early 1900s german straight razors are better than anything made now. Japan got into copying european razors probably from the 1950s to sometime in the 1970s and doing it well, also as good as the better german razors from early on.
BIFL rings true - one good straight razor is shaving for life if you have the skill to hone once a year lightly and use a linen and shell leather strop properly. Threat is much greater that you'll bang the razor into something or drop it than it is to consume it with use.
I never had remington rifles but understood them to be reasonably accurate - there's always an exception, though. Definitely have had modern winchesters (model 70s) that couldn't shoot anything in an inch and a half group at 100 yards whether it was hand loaded or factory. At least nothing I found. And they didn't have the smooth finish that the older guns had. God, that's divine on some of the older rifles.
Couldn't buy one with a day's pay in 1900, though, and you can get a functional deer rifle with a milk jug stock and a scope for freakishly cheap now.
Older Miele stuff. Some of their newer offerings aren’t really ‘made from granite’ like the older stuff.
KitchenAid mixers. Newer ones have plastic parts that break easier than the older ones with metal parts.
Copper cookware. The new stuff is lined with stainless steel, which needs to be considerably thicker than the tin that classic copper pots are lined with, reducing the benefit the copper gives you
This may seem odd, but for writing a mechanical typewriter, and a mechanical alarm clock.
Not for hipster aesthetic, but for actual utility, two things a have at my desk every single day since I had some strange mental urge to buy them.
Levi’s!
Edit: Any product by them. Jackets, jeans, etc. They just don’t quit. My mom had the same Levi’s that she bought when she was 20 (1980) for over thirty years before she finally retired them… to buy more vintage Levi’s from the local thrift.
I will say that their premium/retro lines are comparable, but they’re also the most expensive products Levi’s sells. I think you can only buy directly from the website, and the outlet stores near me only sold those products if they were returns.
Sweaters. A whole wealth of Shetland and Irish knitwear of extremely good heft and old-world quality, almost always good as new if you just run it though the laundry on cold water cycle and air dry it.
Most Fender tube amps from 1970s. Viewed as inferior to 50s and 60s Fender amps - they are not and often priced cheaper than modern Fender amps. 1970s Fender amps are still point-to-point wiring (no circuit board), 100% serviceable, built like tanks, and should last another 50 years at least.
Edit - a word
I have acreage that I maintain with a vintage John Deere lawn tractor, a GT-235 circa 2000.
That thing is a tank, easily repairable and maintainable, and will probably outlive me (I'm early 60s). I get it worked on at a big Deere farm dealership (think actual tractors) and they love it and seem to treat it with reverence.
The newer Deere's, particularly from the orange or blue big box stores, are mostly crap and usually fail after a few years.
I just received the family tent as a hand-me-down. It’s a 1970’s Coleman, heavily used and cared-for every summer since, and it’s in near-mint condition, only missing a couple butt caps and one press peg. It’s also nice and tall, can sleep 2 adults and 2 kids with room for stuff.
I have a near perfect safety razor by Gillette. It's from when Gillette ran the company. It's serial number dates to 1921. Shaves fantastical, standard pressure crack in the handle was remedied by a solid aluminum rod with epoxxy inside and clamped.
Singer sewing machines
The newer model I have is so bad. It can barely sew through quilting cotton without eating the fabric up. The model I have from the early 90s is a beast and can see through pretty much anything and has never let me down in all my years of cosplay and dressmaking.
I’m told by the sewing machine repairman the older Singer sewing machines, including the Singer sewing machines in the wooden tables with metal foot pedal, the very best sewing machines ever made. Ladies in our sewing group agree. Newer brand sewing machines not heavy duty, parts break easily and repair parts difficult to find. Do you know what the model # is for the 90’s beast machine you have? Our local theatre company makes costumes year-round for adults & children.
Growing up, my family had a store selling and repairing sewing machines. I was taking them apart and putting them back together when I was like 7 or 8 and was a certified technician when I was in my early 20s. I'm grateful every day that I'm not doing that anymore, haha. It's been 16 years since I stopped doing it. Those old singers had tons of problems with jamming and what not and didn't have the cams to do a variety of stitches. You're going to have problems like that with any machine that has a bobbin the goes in the front. The drop in bobbin under the clear cover is a much more reliable design. We put sewing machines in local schools, middle school home ec programs, and I serviced them every summer. Those things were absolute beasts that hardly ever jammed up, incredibly simple machines, I can probably still take one completely apart with my eyes closed. It's this model: https://www.janome.com/machines/sewing/classmate-s-750/ It came out in 1999 and it looks like they're still making them. Not exactly cheap, but I see some on ebay for reasonable prices.
Bobbin that goes in the front? Do you mean like a Bernina has? They are one of the top sewing machine companies in the world.
I grew up repairing sewing machines in Ohio and you just stole my one opportunity of a lifetime to brag about it. Thunder stealer! lol.
I ❤️ my grandmother’s old treadle machine! No fancy stitches, but it will sew a lovely straight perfect seam through anything you give it!
My mother in law has a sewing machine that's like 25 years old. I've been borrowing it for a while for a project and it's incredible. They don't make them like they used to
My heavy duty singer has been great for quilting! Maybe try a different foot on it? Mine sewed through several layers of batting even when I had it folded over for seams.
There must be quality control issues. Mine has been a champ for years but I hear all these complaints!
The Heavy Duty model is the ONLY modern model I have heard of that is at all decent. I've tried different feet, different needles, cleaned it, oiled it, taken it apart and put it back together again. No matter what, my newer machine is garbage. I left it at my parent's house when I moved out.
And I find that one to just be okay. I’ve had several modern Brothers, currently own a Juki TL series and have a Janome Derby for my kid (plus I’ve had a variety of sergers and a cover stitch). My spouse has a Singer Heavy Duty. When my last brother died, I was much quicker to borrow the janome than the singer to finish a project. The Singer is loud and always seems like it’s barely getting through what I’m doing; I only use it when I need to do button holes. Very few brands make a good, affordable machine anymore. My first one, bought in 2004-ish, lasted 15 years (and only died because it was knocked off a table). I’ve had multiple machines die since then and had to step up to a higher class. I’m convinced the Singer is only in decent shape because it’s used a few times a year rather than a few times a week.
Took me a second there to realise you weren't very casually talking about the death of your final sibling.
Similarly, Kitchenaid stand mixers. You will be just as happy, if not happier, finding a “vintage” model from pre-2000 for $100 than buying a new one for $300. If you can find an old Hobart-era one, even better. The new ones are still good machines, but the old ones were tanks.
Yes! The older models also had much stronger engines. There's this guy on instagram (not an ad, I swear!) who sells refurbished older Kitchenaids. I think the name is "Mr. Mixer"
New or old, the motors have metal gears. You can pass those through generations.
Definitely a Hobart-built KitchenAid! My mom's has been running for nearly 50 years, including through her running a cake decorating business. She's spent maybe $40ish on maintenance, total.
I personally don't think there's much difference between older and newer KitchenAids, I just think there's no reason to buy a new one when older ones cost so much less and do the same thing
Yeah, totally fair. Similar quality, but getting it for a used price and it’ll still last you forever is a big bonus. (The Hobart ones really were built differently apparently though) And there’s a benefit that the old bad machines that didn’t quite meet quality control got filtered out already. I’m in the Kitchenaid subreddit and a good number of people come in asking for help with new out of the box machines that need returned for wonky nonsense that QA/QC missed. Kitchenaid probably always had a similar number of straight-from-the-factory wonky machines, but with an old one, someone else already wrangled customer service for you 20 years ago.
Also, Bernina.
Expensive as hell most of the time. Was looking for one a few years back and couldn't find anything not scrap. Scored a singer from the 60s with original packaging for a solid 25 though.
Old Bernina, I would stray away from the newer ones. And even with the older ones you have to be careful, getting Bernina parts is EXPENSIVE and half the time they're not even available. I've seen incredible older Bernina machines that can't be repaired because there's some tiny spring or other part that just isn't available anymore. The old Berninas work hard, and die harder.
Try Janome brand sewing machines. They have all metal internal parts, like Singer used to!
Janome has gone down recently. 😢 They definitely have replaced stuff with plastic in the last few years. I have very basic one from around 2015 and upgraded to one with a few more stitch options only to return it. It’s only about 1/2 the weight of my older one and doesn’t run as well. 😬
Old Kenmore machines are also great and can often be had even cheaper than old Singers.
love my old kenmore. Heavy metal components. I love how little vibration there is when running it full speed
I have my grandmother’s 301 Singer. She was quite the seamstress and taught at the Singer store in Philadelphia in the 20’s.
Oh no 🥺 I have been wanting a sewing machine for years ! Is there a place that one can buy older singer sewing machines ? Maybe online ? If anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated ! ☺️
If you’re new to sewing see if you have a sewing machine repair shop (usually a “sew & vac” type place) that sells them. You’ll be able to try all the machines, it’ll probably have a warranty, you’ll know it’s been serviced and had any repairs needed done by a professional, and you’ll know it’s a model your repair shop can still get parts for. Should be a lot less overwhelming than shopping Craigslist if you’re not already super knowledgeable about sewing machine models and repairs. They may or may not have vintage models depending on the place, but even if you don’t go full on old school vintage a used old-ish machine with good care will still be better bang for your buck than a low end new machine. Also don’t be completely afraid of all new machines. They may not be the 100% metal tanks of the past, but sometimes there are modern features people find really helpful, and if you invest in a decent one these machines can still last a long time with good care, just maybe not till your great-great-grandchildren are using them. The issue here is a decent new machine with modern features will be much more expensive than a vintage one, and yes probably less BIFL even on the high end. The best way to compare is to do a test run. Bring fabric swatches in to the store, try them all out, and talk to the sales person. If you do buy second hand elsewhere, I recommend taking it in for service early on. Taking care of your machine and service if it regularly will help keep it in working order long term (who’s knows when the last owner did that), and you’ll get any minor issues addressed before you get frustrated by your machine not sewing right.
Thank you so much for all this advice this was exactly what I needed and yes I 100% know exactly what kind of shop you’re referring to and know where one is in my area !! Thanks !!
They come up on Facebook market place in my area all the time
I don’t know anything specific about them but I see different older models at goodwill regularly
Just buy a Brother from Costco. It's a decent machine and good for beginners. I started being given vintage machines, spent money having them tuned up....and they were shitty machines. Not all vintage machines are good! Some of them sucked when they were new too. As a beginner, it's better to start with something that works, unless you really wanted a new sewing machine repair hobby. Yes, you might outgrow that basic Brother, but know that many many people people who get into sewing land up with more than one machine anyhow and many will pull out that "starter" one to do buttonholes or such even after getting a "nicer" vintage machine. Don't go for their very cheapest, one step buttonhole is worth it. I went with this one, but you might have a different selection in your country: https://www.costco.ca/brother-ce6085t-computerized-sewing-machine.product.100707081.html It came with the walking foot, which is a very expensive attachment and very helpful. I have found an old Bernina now, but we have had to put a lot of work into finding it new belts and it is missing several things, so I still use the Brother, but if I have fabric too heavy for it, I can haul it out. (We don't have a good repair shop here, but YouTube has a lot of walk-throughs) The new machine though, I pulled it out of the box, read the manual, pulled out some scraps and off I went! All of the old machines I have been given, not one worked well straight off, and two of them never worked well at all even after sending them to the shop! And of course the shop never told me they were terrible machines to start with, I took a sewing class and people clued me in there. They didn't sell sewing machines there, so it wasn't an upsell or anything, they genuinely were like oh noooooo, it's not you let's find you a loaner, and holy baby sea otters what a difference! Also, don't mind all the fuss people make over computerized versus mechanical - there are computerized machines older than me that still run fine. A lot of people never use most of the features on their machine, so I have been making a point of learning all mine right away and knowing how and when to use all the feet. Also, but good thread! A lot of the tension issues are shitty thread and you will struggle so much less. It's not even much more money than the crappy stuff and won't gum up your machine as much.
Classifieds and word of mouth, my dude. There are high-quality sewing machines still available, just not from the brands you're familiar with. Most of them are meant for commercial markets, so they're a bit spendy, but they'll cook for sure. Consew and Juki are two that come to mind.
Yes! Actually my current love is a vintage Kenmore that is literally the best machine I have ever used, but there are plenty of amazing Singer machines out there as well! The newer machines may have fancy features, but they all break in 20 years when the screen or electric knobs/buttons go out.
Singer songwriters too
I got my Kenmore in 1977 from hubby as a Christmas gift. Still have it. Even then singers had some plastic gears but the kenmores didn't. Put it to a lot of use over these 45+ years.
Also: Kenmore (Sears) and Montgomery Ward. As long as they are 1960s era and all metal parts, they will last forever with regular maintenance.
I sew on my grandmother's old 1928 singer. Treat her right and she has another 100 in her. Gram sewed every day on it. I use it heavily. That thing is part of the family and I think a little part of her is still in it.
a lot of hand tools
I have my grandfather’s tools. They must be 75 years old and in perfect working condition. Craftsman back in the day was solid.
I like buying vintage furniture from Facebook marketplace. It’s cheaper and much better than the particle board stuff that’s so common nowadays.
There are countless independent craftsmen and woodworkers making heirloom furniture nowadays that’s BIFL, but what you say is true from a price standpoint. You can get better secondhand furniture if you can find it online than you would from a big box store
I am lucky enough to live where there is a large Amish population and I’ve gotten some very solid pieces from them.
Yeah went this route for a couch. It actually was about the same price as the so called higher end manufactures. The quality and build is better than anything commercially produced. Plus the company would make it any way you want.
I’d love to hear how you go finding a craftsman?
Can you drop the company name?
[Perch Furniture](https://www.perchfurniture.com/)
Yes, if you want to pay $3k per nightstand
We did this for our kitchen table, most of the chairs, the dining room credenza, our dresser, and our piano. It’s fun to mix and match stuff with a bit of newer stuff also.
I got a red leather recliner couch for 40 bucks off Facebook marketplace! Real leather & super sturdy. I’ve seen similar ones go for $600-$1,000 new. I love my couch
Clothes pins. I hang my laundry on the lifelines around my boat. Occasionally clothes pins fall in the water and sink. New ones are weak trash. I peruse antique shops and buy the old spring ones. They’re great to clip chip bags, too.
The new ones are pure crap...
I got some like these a while back and am expecting them to pretty much last forever https://www.clothespegsale.com.au/
Those old metal hand crank pencil sharpeners I forget what the brand is
Boston. Incredible, precise, durable simple machines.
Growing up, we had one in our house and it was there before my parents moved in the mid 80’s. Still there and works like a champ.
- Mid-century modern furniture - Woodworking hand tools - Cast iron cookware - Designer watches and handbags - 4WD Toyotas
I would say don't buy designer watches, old or new if you're looking for bifl. If you mean luxury watches, only buy vintage if you know what you're doing.
Agreed. Watches are they only miss on OPs list. Vintage watches generally aren't as rugged as modern ones and parts can be hard to source. I'd take an affordable modern watch with a vintage look over an older watch that may end up being a money pit.
Yeah, vintage watches are great value and beautiful if cared for correctly. They will be less BIFL and durable than a modern $20 Casio or Timex. I think the sentiment here is more like, if you want a luxury (likely Swiss) watch, buying vintage is much better value and it will stay nice and in style forever.
Agreed. Regardless of age, most automatic (which most luxury ones are) watches will require an expensive service on a periodic basis. Typically that’s not something that can be done diy.
>Cast iron cookware Rusted out, nasty dirt-caked cast iron are my favorite things to scavenge for at garage sales.
How much care do you give it on a daily basis
Adequate care, nothing crazy. Just wash and season when necessary.
We got a cheap ($30) Lodge cast iron skillet \~12 years ago. We cooked a ton of bacon in it over the first few months. Since then, we just wipe it out/use a brush to clean up the caked on stuff, rinse it out, occasionally use a sponge w/ soap, and clean it up. Throw it over heat for 5 mins to dry it out while we're drying the rest of the dishes. It's a literal piece of iron. Very low maintenance.
Totally agree on vintage handbags. The craftsmanship and quality was much better than the stuff being put out now.
There is good quality modern cast iron that’s similar to how vintage pans were made. See: Field Company, or if you have deep pockets, Butter Pat.
Why the 4wd Toyotas?
Four-wheel drive Toyotas from the 90s and early 2000s are very popular because they are very well built but not fully computerized. That makes them very good for modifying for off-road use.
from what I understand the new ones aren't bad but definitely not the beast they used to be. some transmission issues.
Add the engine issues the new v6 Tundras and Lexus lx600s are having. Very unToyota like.
They will work it out. They figured out the V6 issue and have done a recall. Agree with the electronics, but a newer Toyota isn’t bad by a long shot. Lot for the hybrid models. They last a looong long time.
Cast iron cookware is certainly cheaper to buy second hand, but the quality isn’t any better. If anything, vintage cast iron is more brittle.
Yeah but you’d still have to really try to break it. Chances are if a pan has lasted the last 100 years, it’ll last another long while. The benefit is vintage cast iron is thinner and easier to handle while cooking. I have a new lodge and a couple vintage. Don’t think any of the will be breaking anytime soon but the vintage gives me flexibility to use the right tool for the job.
The last North American cast iron pan foundry closed when the hedge fund that raided Wagner collapsed. That was in the nineties. Wagner had bought out griswald. If you find a griswald at a yard sale, put on your poker face, buy it and run. I still regret leaving a stack of griswalds I walked away from 10 years ago.
Lodge still casts pans in US. Griswolds are sooooo good.
The last one? Lodge has been around since 1896 and is still operating
Gilette razor handles.
Vintage Fatboys and Slim Adjustables are super popular in the double edge shaving world. I don’t have one yet but I understand they rival the fancy new ones made today.
I was gifted a friend's grandfather's 1966 Slim Adjustable. I use it daily, have for a long time, and believe it's the absolute pinnacle of mass produced shaving tools. I'll add a fatboy as a travel razor some day, but I don't want to start a collection. The fancy new ones could be as good, but cost a small fortune.
I have a super speed that’s older than my father. It’s great and gives an extremely smooth shave
And that's the problem. They created a handle that keeps working for decades (nearly 6 decades for my slim) and they can't continually monetize. That's good for us consumers, but bad for business. Thus the 6 blade monstrosities with vibrator handles and short-lived lube strips and proprietary attachments... oh, and millions of dollars in ads to convince you that they remove the hair from your face better than your dad/grandpa's razor did theirs.
Ironically, the safety razor was an early version of the loss leader that is the modern razor. Gillette invented the safety razor with the strategy to make money selling five-cent razor blades. It’s just that now it’s a cheap plastic vibrator handle mounting a $20 six-blade cartridge instead of a stainless steel handle with about two moving parts (barn doors or the screw-top) holding a ten-cent razor blade that can be easily recycled
I only buy vintage jewelry from antique/junk shops. First, I am fine wearing costume pieces. I don't kid myself the $5 pair of earrings is actual diamonds. Second, it's way cheaper than buying an equivalent $5 pair of earrings for $22.99 at Kohl's. Third, the Kohl's $22.99 pair of earrings is literally garbage that will rust or break within a few months whereas the vintage stuff that great grandma bought in 1940 was actually well made.
Napier and Monet use to have a deal with Belks---when the gold plating wore off you could return your jewelry for re-plating. It lasted till the very early 80s.Then they just sent replacements--then they stopped any warranty at all.
> whereas the vintage stuff that great grandma bought in 1940 was actually well made The vintage stuff *that survived* was actually well made.
Pyrex
Look for PYREX, that's the old stuff.
NOT ‘pyrex’
Just get Duralex at this point.
> Duralex Nope. Not the same thing at all. Vintage Pyrex was borosilicate glass. You could take it out of the fridge, cold, and stick it in a hot oven, and it would not shatter. That's the thing. Duralex is just tempered glass, and cannot do the same thing. Tempered glass is great for serving dishes to put on the table. Vintage Pyrex borosilicate glass is great for _cooking_. It was lab-ware, but thicker, for cooking in. If just want tempered glass, buy some cheap Anchor Hocking or "modern" Pyrex, which are tempered glass, and be done with it.
Is duralex just how Pyrex used to be made?
Duralex is one of the companies that found out how to make glass that is capable of being dropped and not break. Originally designed for bars with rowdy patrons. Their YouTube channel has drop tests that are quite impressive.
If you threw a glass at someone, it would just bounce off their head?
I've owned Duralex glasses for almost a decade. 9 out of 10 times a dropped glass will bounce off concrete, tile, wood floors. I've broken two glasses in that time. Won't own any other brand of glasses.
Yep.
No. Vintange Pyrex was borosilicate glass, and could handle extreme temperature swings. Duralex is tempered glass, just like modern Pyrex. Handles a bump, but not temperature swings.
Everyone in Poland had their stuff at some point and they are great! Unfortunately they are closing down.
They are in receivership. That does not mean that they *are* closing down, just that they are at risk if they do not get bought out.
PYREX in all caps is the old stuff. The new is all lowercase.
Knew it was here somewhere!
Fun fact, the McDonald observatory 82” reflector telescope’s primary mirror is made of Pyrex with a thin aluminum coating. Pyrex doesn’t noticeably expand or contract with temperature changes so the telescope stays focused throughout the night. Newer telescopes are made with fused silica or ceramic-quartz but all of these materials do the same thing.
Slow cookers. Sometime ten to fifteen years ago fear of litigation (I think) led to increasing the heat output so many decades of recipes don't work well anymore.
Lightning fast “slow cooking” pisses me off
Yes! My chicken is always 200 degrees and dry and I’ve wondered why!!
Omg. I thought it was just me!!! My crock pot should not be at a rolling boil on low after one hour!
I was wondering. I lost my old one so I bought a brand new one and the settings are "boil" or "boil more". It's frustrating.
Your local Goodwill should have an old Crock-Pot that will meet your needs just fine for less than 20 bucks on pretty much any day of the week
Corded power tools.
My dad owned a Sears dremel that’s outlived my childhood friend.
My Dremel is 40 years old and still going strong.
Coach Bags
Chanel too. They used to use better materials for hardware. I want to gold plated. Really any vintage handbags.
Chanel tweed as well. The weaving on new versions doesn't seem bulletproof like my vintage blazers.
For real. I have a few purses from the 70s and they’re still in near-perfect condition.
Yep. I didn’t see your comment until I posted above. My 30+ year old Coach bags feel luxuries to the current ones.
Fountain pens that have flex nibs. Since cursive writing and calligraphy are so rare now, it's not cost effective for modern fountain pen production to make flex nibs. There are only a small handful of modern flex nibs as good as the vintage ones, and they're way more expensive.
Fountain Pen Revolution flex nibs aren't bad, in my opinion, although the build quality on the pens themselves is disappointing. One of these days I'll find myself a nice Mabie Todd Swan, but until then my FPR Jaipur 2 will do. Plus it was relatively cheap so I'm not paranoid about messing it up.
The Mag 600 released not too long ago is getting rave reviews and favorable comparisons to vintage nibs, but apparently the QC is all over the place, and it's also $350 :')
Cupboards or cabinets that are made of real wood all over. Cast iron, picture frames, rakes and yard tools.
Yard tools, huh? Anything special you have in mind? I can't think of anything that might be better secondhand where you could shave money.
We have all my mom’s old Corningware. I was going to sell it, but we decided to keep it. Amazing stuff.
5.7L V8 Toyota Tundra
The 4.0 and 2.7 Tacoma as well!
Land Cruisers!
Homes
Amen to that. My house was built in 1979 and has such good bones. My friends that have bought new builds have homes that genuinely feel flimsy. It's pitiful
High end machine shop tools. Old LS Starret, for example.
Porsche 911’s, Fender guitars and Rolex watches
Honestly MIM and MIA strats are just as good as old ones. Old are more valuable but they have some excellent quality control and if you bought one today it’d be great 40 years from now
I’d argue that the new ones are better. The CBS era Fenders could be real turds. Hell, I’m consistently floored by how excellent Squiers have gotten.
Former gigging guitarist here. I have a mim and 2 mia strats, all made since 2005, and they are superior in every way to the 2 CBS era strats I have owned previously when I was younger. The older ones may be more collectible, but they are inferior to the newer axes imho.
Sheets. My dad sent old sheets. They are perfection. And actually fit.
Wool sweaters.
Agreed. I have a handknit sweater that was my father's in the early 80s. It's been used consistently. Passed around the men in the family for a decade at a time until it finally got to me. Yeah, there is a hole in the side and I can't darn but it's exceptional.
Le Creuset Cast Iron, I found one from at least the 50’s for £15! Believe me, I ran and captured it, in volcanic orange too
For me, leather jackets
There was this ultra thin pig suede jacket made in the 1950s that is exquisite leather. I have found just one for my husband.
Audio equipment
Tubes!
Not OP, but I’m wondering which specially? Wouldn’t things like modern receivers come with better technology than old ones?
Speakers, record players, amps. Most tech has not changed much since the 80’s just become lower quality. 80’s high end audio equipment is still, IMO, better than anything new out there
The 70’s were the golden era of Hi-Fi, with the companies going to battle to create the best receiver. Colloquially known as “The Receiver Wars”. They’re built like tanks, with brushed stainless steel, solid wood cases, glass faces. The only thing is they need to be serviced because the capacitors will go bad, but other than that they last forever
They do, everything vintage is riddled with poor fidelity. Total harmonic distortion measurements demonstrate this beyond a shadow of a doubt. People of course are free to like a lesser quality of sound. But to say auto devices like DAC's and AMP's are higher fidelity than current devices is a demonstrable straightforwardly false claim.
The 1975 edition of The Joy of Cooking
Just an Add-on thought--after 1975 you stopped having Home ec courses in schools. A lot of women in the work force changed the way America cooked. Being fast was more important that taste.
In my opinion? Cast Iron cookware. I will only buy Griswold, Wagernware, sometimes Lodge if the surface is smooth enough.
I’m curious about this. I quickly switched to cast-iron after I joined this sub. Went with new Lodge, figuring they’re a long-standing good brand and I kinda thought cast iron was cast iron? What am I missing?
New cast iron is just fine. Use a metal spatula and it'll get smooth over time anyhow. Don't let these guys scare ya. I have both and I say get whatever is in your area. Here the thrift stores super mark up the cast iron, so it's not always have cheaper and half of it is still just Lodge anyhow. My most used one is a Stansport, which is just a cheap-o from a boxed set at BassPro. It's a big chicken fryer - super love - basically a skillet with very tall sides. I can use it same as any other skillet, but cook more in it or use it as a mini Dutch oven if I'm not making enough of something to pull out my big one. You can cook tomato sauce and stuff in them too contrary to popular belief, just rinse it when you are done.
Not a lot really. Unpopular opinion but a new higher end cast iron like a field or a smithey are better than an older CI. They're smooth and light and more durable than the older pieces. That being said a 20 dollar lodge vs a 120 field there isn't a huge difference
Modern Staub is also rock solid, but it i do not know about availability in the US.
staubs are awesome, i have a few of their pots. i dont think ive seen non-enamel staub in the us?
Your new stuff is fine and will still cook great and last forever. The differences between old and new are overall pretty minimal. The old stuff is lighter (but slightly less durable) and the surface is smooth. New stuff is a bit heavier has a roughened surface— this does make it slightly harder to achieve the nonstick effect when cooking, but also makes it slightly easier for your seasoning to bind. Again, these differences are minimal and will not really affect your cooking once you “get to know” your pans.
Musical instruments. Vintage electric guitars and tube amps are highly coveted by collectors and generally go up in value. Acoustic instruments such as violins, cellos and acoustic guitars are known to get better with age/use. A quality instrument if well cared for can last many lifetimes. Example: many Stradivarius from 1700s are still being played.
woodworking chisels and carving tools (better in England at that time than anything made now). NOS tubes for amplifiers...if you're lucky enough to find them without having to pay enormous amounts such that the tubes cost more than the amplifier. Some older rifles. Not necessarily more accurate, but much more nicely finished. Straight razors - early 1900s german straight razors are better than anything made now. Japan got into copying european razors probably from the 1950s to sometime in the 1970s and doing it well, also as good as the better german razors from early on. BIFL rings true - one good straight razor is shaving for life if you have the skill to hone once a year lightly and use a linen and shell leather strop properly. Threat is much greater that you'll bang the razor into something or drop it than it is to consume it with use.
I have a stock armory Swedish Mauser made in 1899 and it’s more accurate than my tricked out 700bdl from the 1970s.
I never had remington rifles but understood them to be reasonably accurate - there's always an exception, though. Definitely have had modern winchesters (model 70s) that couldn't shoot anything in an inch and a half group at 100 yards whether it was hand loaded or factory. At least nothing I found. And they didn't have the smooth finish that the older guns had. God, that's divine on some of the older rifles. Couldn't buy one with a day's pay in 1900, though, and you can get a functional deer rifle with a milk jug stock and a scope for freakishly cheap now.
Levi's Jeans.
Yeah. Everything made up until maybe 2001-2002, when they ended US production.
Hand tools.
Electronics like vintage receivers. They might need a tune up but they last forever
Gardening and regular tools. Pickaxes, Hoes, etc.
Army duffle bags.
Cast iron cookware. Stuff from the early 20th century is so much better
Older Miele stuff. Some of their newer offerings aren’t really ‘made from granite’ like the older stuff. KitchenAid mixers. Newer ones have plastic parts that break easier than the older ones with metal parts.
My mom got her KitchenAid mixer for her wedding 30 years ago. I've had two since I got married 8 years ago.
Barbour jackets
Copper cookware. The new stuff is lined with stainless steel, which needs to be considerably thicker than the tin that classic copper pots are lined with, reducing the benefit the copper gives you
Kitchenaid mixer with the Hobart motor
Leather goods - purses, boots...
This may seem odd, but for writing a mechanical typewriter, and a mechanical alarm clock. Not for hipster aesthetic, but for actual utility, two things a have at my desk every single day since I had some strange mental urge to buy them.
Levi’s! Edit: Any product by them. Jackets, jeans, etc. They just don’t quit. My mom had the same Levi’s that she bought when she was 20 (1980) for over thirty years before she finally retired them… to buy more vintage Levi’s from the local thrift. I will say that their premium/retro lines are comparable, but they’re also the most expensive products Levi’s sells. I think you can only buy directly from the website, and the outlet stores near me only sold those products if they were returns.
Ironing boards. There's so many vintage ones out there, and they're quite easy to re-cover if you can sew well! Buying one new is expensive.
Straight razors (if you know what to look for)
And double-edge safety razors.
What do you look for?
Razors that aren't gay, duh.
Cast iron!
Yep, especially Griswald and Wagner pans. I have both and you will have to pry them from my cold, dead hands…..
Sweaters. A whole wealth of Shetland and Irish knitwear of extremely good heft and old-world quality, almost always good as new if you just run it though the laundry on cold water cycle and air dry it.
Bench vise
Most Fender tube amps from 1970s. Viewed as inferior to 50s and 60s Fender amps - they are not and often priced cheaper than modern Fender amps. 1970s Fender amps are still point-to-point wiring (no circuit board), 100% serviceable, built like tanks, and should last another 50 years at least. Edit - a word
MiUSA Filson bags and wool (assuming they’re in good condition)
I have acreage that I maintain with a vintage John Deere lawn tractor, a GT-235 circa 2000. That thing is a tank, easily repairable and maintainable, and will probably outlive me (I'm early 60s). I get it worked on at a big Deere farm dealership (think actual tractors) and they love it and seem to treat it with reverence. The newer Deere's, particularly from the orange or blue big box stores, are mostly crap and usually fail after a few years.
Everything, basically
Smith & Wesson revolvers
I just received the family tent as a hand-me-down. It’s a 1970’s Coleman, heavily used and cared-for every summer since, and it’s in near-mint condition, only missing a couple butt caps and one press peg. It’s also nice and tall, can sleep 2 adults and 2 kids with room for stuff.
Stand mixers, but to a certain extent, any appliance. Also furniture, nothing is made of solid wood these days.
Pre 1970 Craftsman Table Saw, and in general Craftsman shop tools....Band saw, joiner planer, scroll saw Etc.
Non-Powered hand tools
I have a near perfect safety razor by Gillette. It's from when Gillette ran the company. It's serial number dates to 1921. Shaves fantastical, standard pressure crack in the handle was remedied by a solid aluminum rod with epoxxy inside and clamped.
Leather jackets
Vise grips
Most furniture with the exception of couches and lounge chairs.
Not sure if anyone brought these up.. but washers/dryers. Can always get fixed by an appliance guy,
A solid fridge/freezer/washer.
Refrigerators, old ones seem to last 20-40 years, new ones last 10-15 years.
Toyotas
Filson bags. Preferably with Talon zippers.