Riccar lock RL-340
Karma chameleon
Made by Janome, this chassis was also branded as Riccar, Hobby Lock, Portalock, Mammy Lock, and I think also PFAFF.
Beatrice is one of the Riccar flavoured units of this Japan-made beauty. Riccar was a premium japanese manufacturer, later sold out to a retail conglomerate who used the brand name on OEM products such as this. They are still very well-known for their vacuum cleaners.
This 4 thread machine is also capable of running in 3 or 2 thread modes, for sewing in simple chain stitch, with or without cutting action.
Here is a nice article on a Janome version of this same machine.
This unit came from Germany fully stuffed with fluff and lint, but otherwise in good working order and very nice cosmetic condition. No accessories and no foot control, but nothing broken, with only the obligatory yellowed plastics here and there. Part of the standard charm.
After a thorough cleaning inside and out, the machine was tuned and lubricated back to perfect working order, with new blades. I would say it sews like a dream, and indeed it works as intended, but let’s just say… this type of machine has evolved quite a lot. Elastic fabrics are a no-go: it always jams, and when it does, you have to te-thread the machine. Not something you will find much pleasure in doing over and over. But give it some sturdy denim or other structures fabrics with a certain weight, and it will happily chew along with gusto, giving you a clean and resilient double overlock stich with a vintage look.
Unlike its Janome counterpart, this machine does a safety chain stitch alongside the overlock stitch, effectively sewing in two lanes, instead of a 4-thread overlock. You can do one or the other, or both. There are provisions for disengaging the overlock looper, and also to exchange the blade guard for a welting guide (not present), turning this into a flatbed chainstitch machine.
To complete the set I made an extended PVC base for the thread cones and some matching burgundy oversize felt pads. Also added a Wera 118076 1/16’hex driver for the needle block screws, a tweezer and a needle threader.
Original accessories:
• Inside supports for thread cones, and that’s it.
ID
| Maker | Janome |
| Brand | Riccar |
| Model | RL-340 |
| Year | 1984? |
| Serial number | |
| Origin | Japan |
| Manufacture | Japan |
| Provenance | Germany |
| Status | Private collection |
SPECS
| Voltage | AC 220 V |
| Bed type | |
| Bed extension | |
| Feet/shank type | |
| Foot pressure adjustment | |
| Bobbin type | |
| Hook/race position | |
| Hook movement | |
| Bobbin winder | |
| Spool pins | |
| Bulb type | |
| Original foot control | |
| Current foot control | |
| Dimensions | |
| Weight |
FEATURES
| Zigzag | |
| Reverse type | |
| Needle position control | |
| Stitch length limiter | |
| Stitch width limiter | |
| Utility stitches | |
| Decorative stitches | |
| Stretch stitches | |
| Auto-reverse stitches | |
| Double needle provisions | |
| Drop feed |
ACCESSORIES
| Presser feet | |
| Straight stitch needle plate | |
| Feed dogs cover plate |
DOCUMENTS
| User manual | Download PDF: |
| Service manual | Download PDF: |