128 Gets Its Singer Hand Crank

I have been toying with the idea of buying an original Singer hand crank for a 'portable' machine for a while.  I had the modern knock off that I've used for a couple of years with little complaint.  Once I got the 128 it just seemed like the right time to get an original.  Of course that meant hitting up Helen Howes.

Helen crushes the sellers on Ebay.  One, the prices on her hand cranks start at about 1/2 the pre-shipping prices for vintage hand cranks that are for sale on Ebay.  And two, her cranks are not repainted.  Almost all still have some of semblance of the original art on them.  This one (one of her 'expensive' ones) plus delivery cost less than the price before shipping of an Ebay repaint job.

I had moved the reproduction hand crank onto the 128 previously, so both were sitting here in the nice warm den rather than in the sewing room when Helen's crank arrived.  I pulled the reproduction crank off for some comparisons.

Keep in mind we are talking about an original Singer made (back when that meant something) crank compared to a $15 modern copy.  Comparison isn't really a good name for it, maybe 'just showing why you might want to look for an original' is a better statement to make.

Right off the bat you can tell that the Singer crank had more effort put into it's production.  The casting is much smoother and all the joints fit tight.  The modern copy also had a lot of play both horizontally and vertically with the main drive gear.  Tightening the center bolt did not alleviate that play.

The modern copy isn't badly made, shoot compared to a lot of the new crap being sold in the sewing arena, it's down right bombproof.

The handle is markedly tighter toleranced on the original.  There is no wiggle to it while you turn.  The modern one had quite a bit of wobble while you are turning it, it really doesn't affect the stitching but it is noticeable after using the original.  Also the tongue that catches the spokes is fitted to the arm much better on the original.  The modern one had a rubber cover for the tongue, where the original uses leather.  I'm not sure but I think Helen replaced the leather, I know she does do maintenance on things that require it before she sells them.  I definitely know the rubber cover only lasted about 2 years on the copy.  I replaced it with a rubber band when it gave out.

The mounting is next.  The Singer has a counter sunk hole that the mounting screw fits snugly in, giving a very solid attachment with no play.  The reproduction came with a very ugly galvanized bolt that rides on the top of the bracket and required you to give the some torque when mounting to keep things from slipping around.  I highlighted them here.

Also pointed out is my biggest aesthetic complaint about the modern reproduction.  That horrible, sloppy weld on the mounting bracket that the red arrow is pointing out.  Really there is no excuse for that kind of sloppiness even with a $15 part.

 Those comparisons done it was time to slap the Singer crank on the 128 and make some stitches.

Well full disclosure.  I did notice how grungy the machine was looking so before stitching I spent an hour or so polishing the slide plates, throat plate, face and side covers and tension assembly.  Then I was ready to make some stitches.

Well not quite.  If you watched the Revco installation video you might remember that I mentioned I had swapped the bobbin carriers between that 27 and the 128.  So there were some tension issues to straighten out as well.  But, I was using the hand crank while testing and adjusting. So it worked out in the end.

The difference in cranking was very noticable.  The Singer crank is smoother by a great degree.  With the modern copy there is more required effort to turn it.  Not a great amount, but some.  With the Singer I was able to keep the crank turning with just the pressure of one finger going around with it. Very smooth.  Strangely both cranks had a slight vibration at about the 9 o'clock position.  With the modern one I could feel the gears meshing at that point.  With the Singer I didn't really feel meshing, but just kind of a change in the sensation as I moved it, even though the amount of effort to keep things spinning didn't change.

So, final judgement.  If you are wanting to make a period correct hand crank machine, get the Singer crank.  Just don't buy a repaint Ebay job.  Get one with the original vintage art from Helen.  If you are wanting to just get to cranking, the modern one will work just fine.  It's not pretty, it's a little sloppy, but it's not going to cause you to hate hand cranking or anything.  Also get a modern one if you are going to be little the youngsters jump on your machine.  Those decals are fragile.  Though Helen does have some that are just original basic black as well.

Either way, get cranking.