Having several Elna machines I always thought to have an Elna Corner here. Always liked the innovative Lotus machines & have a couple of Star machines, 21c, 62c & 72c, plus a recent 1961 Supermatic.
A recent arrival from Ebay is this 31c. Looked good for the money & it turns out to be in very nice order. Just missing its foot control & cables/plugs… Not a problem I thought, until I realised that none of my other Elna foot controls fit this machine. It also has a different hand-wheel/clutch fixing that is unfamiliar to me! It’s a promising machine I’m thinking. For delving deeper into the details of these fine machines? (Good enough for me; )
The Special is a straight stitch, ZZ, plus 4 inbuilt stitches & B/H. This one from 1970/71.
Note the plug with 3 vertical connectors. The more common Elna plug (in UK) has the central pin horizontal. As with my 62c:
An online search only brought up one single example of a foot control, which is on its way here right now. So that I can at least try the motor: )
Obvious question is why this particular Star class machine has a plug that is different from all the others? (the 62D is the only other I’m aware of, but much to learn)
Second question is why the hand-wheel fixing is different? This one appears to be fixed by a sprung circlip??
May 7 2026
The missing foot control & cable/plug arrived yesterday. No drama on plug in, it fitted correctly, the light came on & it stitched from the off: ) The perfect finish. It runs very quietly & smoothly & will only improve with use. It has all the makings of a fine vintage machine.
The paint is excellent with just a couple of minor chips that prevent it being immaculate. The white plastic knobs with gold bands look immaculate & suit the machine much better than the ‘upgraded’ shiny silver + black ones to my eye. It is a very attractive, neat & classy item now: ) With many years of pleasurable use for some lucky person: ) (You looking Mel? Probably not…)
Next job is to check & clean the upper tension & have a look at the motor. The only item that needs attention is the LCR needle position indicator. Happily it is stuck on Centre, but it is a common problem on these machines & ultimately fixable. (If WD-40/heat won’t free it you have to remove the ‘Elnagraph’ unit to do it… Happy to do it, if I really, really have to do it: )
It had a little ‘running in’ practice today & I’m already impressed by its smoothness. No mystifying knocks or clicks, just smooth & quiet. In ZZ & the stretch stitch. It can only get smoother.
Just need to tidy up the plug wiring & have another look at the contact points inside the controller. I think it is not getting full speed yet. But I may be wrong.
First stitch attempt under power had to be recorded: ) Satisfying moment.
Last night I came across the updated, 31C SP machine in what looks to be very nice order. With the normal Elna plug, hand-wheel fixing & the shiny silver knobs. I now have two machines in the story-line. Almost twins.
This is labelled SP & is the update/upgrade of the original Special. Has 7 practical stitch patterns built in, operated by a selection wheel in the lid. Got the same rose pink lid that I consider best in the range.
The pale blue 62c is nice, but the pale rose goes best with the ivory white of the machine body. In my opinion: ) The grey ZZ is just grey: )
Ebay photos here, (no concept of the delicate rose top & ivory paint) but it shows the essential differences. In my eye the 2 large knobs on the front look incongruous, they don’t ‘go with’ anything else on the machine. Whereas the two white plastic knobs on the first edition machine melt into the ivory background & look part of the whole thing?? That’s my first impressions anyways. One advantage the later machine has, is its blue metal case. The older grey one is fine. Just grey, with an orangy painted interior. Just a little odd?
My original, grey ZZ machine taught me lots about the Star range, got me hooked even.
It needed the hook drive gear replacing & I managed that OK in the end: ) Previous experience being changing the same gear in the Lotus machines. It’s always way easier the second time. And so helps with maintenance of the later Star machines.
On arrival it looked well packed, no rattles. Opened up to find no transit damage & here below it is shown after a gentle wipe-over to inspect the paint. Reason I chose this one was because the paint looked good under some grime. It turns out to be marginally better than the first machine! They are both close to immaculate.
The machine came as pictured above with its 2 speed controller & blue steel case. No Accessory Box. Had an ‘interesting’ experience at Power On…
Moment of truth. Plugged it in & the light comes on. No explosions. Meaning to check the motor, I release the clutch & the motor spins over nicely.
Then I tighten/re-engage the clutch & press the power button before thinking… It mashed up the hook drive gear: )
Not a problem! It was on the verge of failing anyway. Got one from China for under £10 shipped, & is now fitted; ) Inside a week. Evernice: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385665738031
Beside the broken 50 year old gear, notice the often missed oiling point.
Both these machines are turning out to be super interesting for me & will be appreciated by others for a good time yet: ) I keep thinking to do a group photo…