I’m still learning about the Necchi cams but I did come across a hard to find, good set of them online recently. With 27 prebuilt cams + the buttonholer. Intended for my 535 before it gave up the ghost, but will be fine for a Lycia 544 Automatica when I find one: ) This is my attempt to explain the basics of Necchi cams as I understand them now, after 4 months of getting my first Necchi: ) Well worth the effort if you like/appreciate the lovely, versatile Necchis of the period. (1955- mid/late 60s, made in Italy machines)
This is the box they come in & the contents look unused.
Beneath shows the top side of all the cams.
There appears to be at least 2 different types. All except the bottom line are driven by the slots on the top side of the cams. The bottom 6 have pegs underneath which fit into the slots in the base of the cam drive unit. I’m not sure just now why they are driven differently, but as I said above I’m still learning about them: )
This photo shows the undersides of the cams, in the same order.
Not sure why the top line & the next 15 have different bases? Perhaps one type is simply an earlier model than the other? They are same depth overall & therefore align with the cam followers. The bottom 6 have the pegs visible, which drive the cams from the base.
Below is a list of the individual cams & their Serial Numbers.
- 6 at top of photo:
- l 9660632
- V 9660852
- XVII 9661062
- XXl 9661172
- XXll 9661182
- XXlll 9661192
- 15 in middle section:
- lll 9660663
- XXlll 9661192
- lV 9660683
- Vl 9660720
- lX 9660690
- X 9660973
- Xl 9660983
- Xll 9660993
- Xlll 9661003
- XlV 9661013
- Xlll 9665983
- XllV 9665993
- XLV 9666003
- XLVl 9666013
- XLVll 9666023
- XLVlll 9666033
- 6 at bottom with notches.
- XXXl 9664382
- XXXll 9664462
- XXXlll 9664442
- XL 9665662
- XLl 9665672
- XLlX 9666042
- Buttonholer:
- B/holer 9660813
- For Lycia 524, 535 & Julia.
The original Cam/Accessory set that comes with the 535 is pictured here below. (More feet etc. below it on the second shelf) Only 4 prebuilt cams with it, but also 14 double sided, individual cams which can be built up with the very flimsy looking ‘cam holder bushing’ – the small, white item in the middle top line – to follow the recommendations in your manual. Or create your own pattern. The item in the left corner is the good quality, metal, buttonholer cam.
Here is a pic of the original 535 Accessory box. Similarly the Julia or Lycia 524.
Here you see the cams, plus the extra feet etc. Also the pattern guide in the lid. You can choose any of the illustrated patterns & it it shows you which 3 cams to use & the correct machine settings to obtain them. A very cool feature when you compare it to Singers Top Hat cams, or Elna cams of the era. IE late 1950s/60s.
One thing to mention here, for beginners like me, is that the Necchi pre-built/assembled cams, for the Supernovas for example, are a slightly different type & they are not interchangable in the 535/Julia/Lycia 524 machines! The individual cams are good for both, but not the pre assembled camsets! Be wary is all I say! Took me a while to understand that, but I’m old & slow to retain knowledge these days: ) I’m finding it hard to find this detailed info online & I have made mistakes along the way… But it’s worth it in the end.