Vintage rotary sewing machines are simple and robust. Though they’re less common in consumer machines now days, rotary hook machines are still common on industrial sewing machines.

This Domestic 151 was my first of more than a few Rotary Machines.

Based on the White Model 77, the Domestic 151 was manufactured by the White Sewing Machine Company.

Off hand I don’t find a manual for the 151, but there is one available for the similar Domestic 153 on the International Sewing Machine Collectors’ Society website: https://ismacs.net/domestic/manuals/domestic-rotary-153-series-sewing-machine-manual.pdf

Domestic Rotaries aren’t rare, but some parts can be difficult to find, so if you find one for sale here are a few things to look for:

• Make sure the bobbin case is with the machine. These are hard to find and I can’t find anyone manufacturing new ones.
• Make sure the machine comes with at least one bobbin, take any they will include with the machine. These are more common than the bobbin cases, but I also can’t find anyone manufacturing new ones. Update: Newly manufactured reproduction/replacement bobbins are now available.
• The motor uses a rubber friction wheel that presses against the hand wheel. These often have flat spots from sitting pressed against the hand wheel for decades, or the rubber has degraded over the years and needs to be replaced. Replacement friction wheels are available from sewing machine supply houses. (I have not tried one yet)
• Presser Foot. The Domestic 151 uses a presser foot common to a number of rotary machines, but since it isn’t a part that is often removed, when it is missing it’s nigh impossible to replace without scrapping another machine. (yes, I have a rotary machine that’s missing it’s foot)
• Side plate, throat plate. There are a number of different designs for the throat plates on this series of machines made by White. This model uses the one that looks like a T-shirt. It isn’t interchangeable with the White 77 or even the Domestic 153, but it kind of fits the older Domestic Model 47, but it’s a little tight. This part isn’t impossible to find, but these machines are common enough that if the one you are looking at is missing the bobbin plate you may want to pass or at least haggle for a steep discount.

Side Plates, also known as Bobbin Cover Plates

The side plate on the Domestic 151 is shaped like a T-shirt and is usually swappable with one from a White Model 43, White Rotary Model 47 and others with the same shape and size. It sounds obvious, but compatibility between these machines is often hit and miss, so don’t buy one expecting that it will fit, make sure you to test fit it first.

The T-shirt shaped plate also has a spring loaded retention mechanism on the bottom side. Push the button in (towards the machine), and gently lift the plate out of it’s slot to expose the hook assembly. Lifting up on the plate without pushing the button will damage the plate, machine or both. If pushing button in doesn’t free the plate, don’t force it, tilt the machine towards the back and inspect the plate and figure out why it hasn’t unhooked.

Obviously the plate cover on the Domestic 151 is not interchangeable with the square plates found on the Domestic 153, and White 77.

Hook In Assembly

Remove the bobbin case and bobbin by pinching the ears on the front of the bobbin case and pulling the case away from the hook assembly.

To the right of the hook assembly you should see the front edge of the hook retention ring lever, just behind and to the right is the lever arm, push it towards the machine to release the hook retention ring. Note that the hook retention ring and hook may fall loose when the lever is pushed. If they did not fall out, remove both now.

Front and back views of the Hook Assembly Parts.

When you go to reassemble the hook assembly, the Hook Driver and Hook are both marked “TOP” on the part that should be at the top during assembly.

Lubrication

This machine had been sitting for years and was put away filthy as you can tell from the photos. I went through the machine and brushed, wiped, picked the lent, dust and debris out before greasing all of the slides and cams with synthetic grease and then oiling all contact points of the moving parts. When you are loosening or unfreezing a machine you end up using far more oil than you would for normal upkeep. I don’t use any more than is needed, but some is going to drip out or through.

• Keep a rag or sheet of cardboard under the machine.
• Remember that any extra oil on a moving part will be slung free of that part.
• Make sure slung oil or grease does not have a path to your walls or worse, your eyes.
• When you have to do an aggressive lubrication, the machine will probably drip for days.

Friction Drive Wheel

The drive wheel on this machine is not round, so I will have to order a new one. The motor seems to work well, but can’t really drive the machine without the replacement wheel.

Note: The handwheel on the friction drive rotary machines spins in the opposite direction than most sewing machines.

Specifications

Brand	Domestic
Model	151
Machine Body	All Metal – Cast Iron
Drivetrain & Gears	All Metal
Color	Dark Brown Crinkle Finish
Feed Dog Drop	No
Motor Mount	External, Friction/Traction Drive
Foot Type	Top Clamp
Hook Type	Rotary
Bobbin Type	White Rotary – Part# 744
Bobbin Case	White New Style Rotary – Part# 69727
Belt	NA, Friction/Traction Wheel