Cleaning Case For The 1949 221

The Goodwill 221 arrived a couple of days ago and is in pieces for cleaning.  I'm going to do a post about getting it ready to sale.  I thought the case would be just one part of that post but it became a day long job by itself and so I thought I would run through what I did in a quick initial post.

Playing Sewing Machine Detective

If you have read a lot of the previous entries you know one of the things I enjoy about collecting machines is finding out their history.  Well today I had an internet adventure thanks to the 1953 201-2.

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone

I've been sewing, casually, for about 39 years.  Sprinkled in that time there have been spans where I sewed more rigorously.  When I sew, it's usually things like this.

I Can Explain, Really - Another 221

See, here's what happened.  I put the bid in on the Shopgoodwill 221 about four days prior.  The auction hit my $160+$40 shipping limit so I figured it was going to slip away.

I was cruising Ebay and saw this:

Shopgoodwill.com Would Be Funny If It Wasn't So Sad - 221 (I won't say Featherweight, I won't!) And Jinyun Qilong Manufacturing Knows Awesome

I kinda like Shopgoodwill.com when I don't outright hate it.  I don't buy a lot off it, but it's good for picking up stuff that needs some work.  For some reason the shoppers on the auctions there will pretty much ignore anything with problems while going hog wild on the exact same object that doesn't list issues.

Case in point:

A Great Diehl In NY - Singer 103 In An Industrial Treadle

If you read my first post about the Revco Reverse you saw me mention the Philip Diehl 1914 patent (US1118271A).  The patent was applied for on December 12th 1912.  Singer started building this machine in February of 1913 (As far as I can surmise from my interwebs researching).

About a week ago I noticed this in an ad on Craigslist.  This is the best photo and there were no photos of the front of the machine.

It's Not Awesome, But It Works - Revco Reverse On 1908 Singer 27.

It installed the Revco a couple of days ago. The whole installation video at the bottom of the post. Here are the highlights.

The Great British Sewing Bee Is Back! ...please be better, please be better.

I just saw this post on Simply Sewing. It looks like the best sewing show ever is currently filming its fifth season after BBC and the production company made friends again.

From Joe Lycett's Twitter Feed

Dragging Old Singers Into The Post WWII Era - Revco Reverse

For a while now I've been toying with the idea of getting a Revco reverse regulator for a machine.  I've seen a few around, but unfortunately I would have had to buy yet another 66 to get one.  So I passed on them.  Then last week this one showed up on Ebay.

328K Is Singer For Awesome!

This is a follow up to my original post about coverting the 328K to a treadle machine here.

Taking advice from Leila from Grow Your Own Clothes here and some folks on Victorian Sweatshop  I replaced the 328K's stock hand wheel with a 9 spoke designed to be used with treadles.

Drag Racing The 301

There is a group that meets at the library here in Simsbury on the first Monday of each month to sew for charity.  I haven't been yet, but I'm going this coming Monday.  I'm not sure if the library provides the machines we sew on or are we supposed to bring our own.  So to be safe I'm taking a machine.

Unbanished! Treadlizing The 328K

This started out because of a post in the Vintage Singers mailing list.  Someone mentioned getting a 328K to put in a treadle.

One Of The Best Guys I Ever Met

I was digging around for some photos of a period outfit I did today and came across this one from around 2006.

Today On Pimp My Treadle - Singer 125379 For Black Swan

It hasn't been lost on me that this last batch of posts have all been about stuff I've gotten and not about working on the machines.  It was pretty warm here today, up in the 50s, so I decided to rectify the situation by looking for a project I could complete in a day.

Happy New Year - Another 66

I had been holding off on doing this post because I had mis-remembered the production year of this machine.  This was going to be a woo-hoo it's officially an antique built in 1919 post.  But it turns out that my newly minted antique machine is actually the 128 I got from my sister.  This 66-1 is made in 1913.  Yay, it's still officially an antique, just a bit older than I thought.

Happy Birthday To Me - 29 Treadle (...umm parts)

(14 Jan, 2019 edit.  Once again, I originally had the machine called out as a 29K73.  Oops.)

The problem with the 29K72 is that it is not as petite as a 29-4, or even a 29K71.  So a standard table for normal sized 29s is just a tad short for it.  Taking that in mind my wonderful wife went out and for my birthday bought up some pieces me and the boy and hack on to make a DIY table.

Merry Christmas (2018-3) - 1937 15-87

(Jan 20, 2019 Edit:  User Needle+thread in another post asked the difference between 15-87s and 15-97.  The difference is the bobbin winders on the 97s are the newer style, like 15-91s have.  The 87s have the older cooler style with the cams and moving thread guide.  A couple of weeks ago I got them backwards and relabeled my 87s to 97s.  Her question made me doublecheck the facts and corret my error.  Back to 87s)

My wife slipped out and managed to get to Norm and snatch this one up before I even had a chance to notice it at his place.

Merry Christmas (2018 - 2) - 1953 201-2

This was the second 201 picture my sister sent me as she was working the auction. 

Merry Christmas (2018 - 1) - Centennial 201-2

I made a few trips to Oklahoma this fall.  My father had some health issues.  All very minor so no worries, but my brother and sister were doing yeoman's work getting him to appoints, pool tournaments, etc... since the doctors didn't want him to drive for a couple of months.  So I went back a few times to give them a break.  Before going back for a few weeks in this month my sister called me up from one of her auctions. Two 201s were going to come up for bid.  One was a Centennial in a bentwood case.  This is the picture she sent.

I Bought My Sister A Featherweight, She Bought Me This - 128

My sister has always wanted a Featherweight.  I really have no use for them and would just smile and nod when she waxed on about them.  She was working an auction this past spring and one came up for sale.  She was a little light on funds with her that day and I, being the wonderful brother I am, bought it for her, all the while denigrating it of course.  An added bonus was that it was manufactured the same year as she was born, so she was super excited about it.  To pay me back she bought me this 1919 128 a few days later.

Black Swan's New Parlor Cabinet

I had mentioned this cabinet earlier.  I was planning on putting the 66 that came with it back in to take photos, but I've been using it so much that it doesn't make sense to take it out of service for what would probably end up being a week or so given all the stuff that gets me side tracked.  So here is Black Swan in her "new" cabinet.

My Philmont Leather Hand Crank - 15-88

This was from a visit I did to Norm's right before I went to work at Philmont Scout Ranch in 2017.  I was wanting a machine I could put a hand crank on that had reverse.  He had this little beat up machine sitting off to the side.  It was kind of like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree so I had to have it.

Merry Christmas! (2017) - 29K72

(Jan 14, 2019 edit - After more research... reading the freakin' manual.  I discovered this is actually a 29K72 instead of a 29K73 as I originally posted).

Well... at least this time it's only been five months between posts.  So that's a plus.

Quite a few updates coming now but I'll start with the one that I've been spending the most time on (other than getting the sewing room, insulated, framed and sheet rocked in the garage attic).  The 29K72 from 1941.  The model plate was ripped off so I needed to do a bit of research to figure out the exact sub-model of the 29 series.  I found service manual/parts list that gave the nomenclature of each model.  If you need to research 29K7Xs there is a badly scanned copy here.

Under a year! YAY!

So, here's what happened.  I forgot what account I was using for Blogger.  I've been scratching my head for a few months wondering why, when I logged on, my blog didn't show up.  Oops.

Okay so now this is fixed here's a preview of what's coming:

Singer 29K73! Oh yeah.  Next to Black Swan, 29s have been on my 'please, honey, can I?' list.

Yet another 66, but this one is in a parlor cabinet.  Well out of it now, but it'll go back in for pictures, then get yanked out and Black Swan will have a new home.

128 and 221.  Okay, yes, Featherweights are junk.  But my sister really wanted one, so I bought it for her. In return she gave me a 128 in a bent wood case.  I came out ahead.

I think there are more, I'll have to dig around and see.

We are still getting reorganized from the move (9 months later), so I have to dig out the camera and find some place to do photos.  But they are coming.  Promise.

Mine-Mine-Mine! 1917 96-10

About two weeks after getting the 331K4 the motor demonstrated a rather urgent need for maintenance.  Rather than be without the 331 while the motor was down I did what any proper sewing machine addict would do, I went out and got another industrial machine.  Behold the 96-10.

We Are Buying a House. So Here Come the Industrials - Singer 331K4

Well, first off I guess I should say this one isn't actually coming home with me.  It's staying in New Mexico with the Boy Scouts.  That leads to the reason I haven't been keeping up with the blog.  I'm working as the Back Country Wardrobe Specialist at Philmont Scout Ranch this summer.  I maintain the wardrobe for around 140 interpretative history program counselors who populate 17 back country camps ranging in time periods from 1831 to 1953  at the ranch.

I'm so Weak, I Admit It. 1927 15-30 in a No 24 Open Side Cabinet

First off, I got a job at Philmont Scout Ranch this summer, so it's not like I've got time for more machines.  That's why I haven't been blogging the last month.  Too busy getting my act together to get out to New Mexico at the end of the month.

But how do you say no to this -

First Alternative Method - Cleaning the 1923 66-1

I've received tips on different methods for metal bits on the machines (rather than just dremelling the heck out of everything).  Since the 1926 66-1 was already sitting in the middle of the kitchen, I thought, "Hey! let's have some fun."

They're Everywhere - Another 66-1

I was happy, really.  I had just gotten the 1883 IF cleaned up.  I had someone give me another Singer treadle.  And though it wasn't the correct one for the IF, I figured I could make it work.  Then, dangit, then this shows up on Craigslist today for $50.

New Family Needles Again

I came into a variety of substitute needles for the New Family.  None are an exact match for the original.  I thought I would give a run down on what I've tried so far.

As a disclaimer, this is all very unscientific.  Measurements were taken using my son's school ruler.  Also the ISMACS chart lists lengths as "to point".  This might be causing mis-measurements on my part as in the majority of documents I've seen lists the "point" as the entire distance from the eye to the tip of the needle.  So I could be completely wrong in using "point" measurements from ISMACS as being end to end length.

Yep it Took a While - Cleaning the 1883 IF

On Sunday I was looking at the 1883 and thought, you know I could clean it up a little.  So I broke out the Singer oil and started going over it.  Then I noticed how icked up the thumb screws were, so I pulled them off to dremel.  Then the throat plate and bobbin cover.  Then... well next thing you know I had this.

This One is Going to Take Some Work. 1883 Improved Family

So I saw this guy sitting on Craigslist about three weeks ago.

What Happens with Sewing Machines After I Clean Them Up

I do actually use the machines I have, really.

It is ALIVE! Cheating to Get the New Family Running

I ordered some kinda-sorta 12x1 needles off Ebay Monday night.  I thought I could be patient for them to get here.  I was wrong.

More Reading about Singer MFG Co and Isaac Singer

Two books to recommend for people who like sewing machines (Singers specifically) and history.  Both are available from Amazon (Kindle Unlimited if you have it). Click on the images to go to the Amazon page for each.

 

Don Bissell's book gives a great overview of the growth of the Singer MFG Co.

Alex Askaroff's book is the swashbuckling, though not always flattering, tale of Isaac Singer, the man.  

A Quick Drive (7 hours) to Pick Up an 1879 New Family

Once having the Improved Family of course I began looking around for a New Family.  My search ended rather quickly.  A couple in upstate New York posted one from 1879 on Craigslist for the princely sum of $65.

Even More Singer Goodness - 201-1 Belt Cover Located for Black Swan

Another awesome find on the interwebs arrived.  After a year of part time searching I finally located the final part to complete Black Swan.  If you haven't read about Black Swan, she is a Singer 201-2 that I converted into a treadle machine.

More Exciting News - Straight Leg Treadle Iron is Complete.

The Treadle Fairy Does Exist! Her Name is Melody.

Some Light Reading - 1951 Cabinet Catalog and 1952 301 Brochure

I mentioned previously that when I bought the 301 it came with some of the original documentation.  The user manual is available at ISMACS so I won't be posting that.  But I haven't seen the 1951 cabinet catalog anywhere.  Also I haven't seen a complete good copy of the original 301 sales pamphlet.  So here we go.

First up the cabinets:

Making Stitches with the Improved Family

Before we start can you see what's wrong with the first IF picture I posted?

You Will be Assimilated - 66-1

Yes I've gone and done it.  I cleaned up the 66-1.  Look a Red Eye! ooh aah.

The Super Exciting News - Straight Leg Treadle is Back on the Active Roster!

A little over a week ago I teased that I had some exciting news.  Here it is.  YAY!

Well That's Out of the Way - 301

I have been looking for a rotating vertical hook for over a year now.  I was always thinking I would end up with a 115 or a 95.  I never really considered a 301.  Personally I found the pricing on 301s to be approaching the ridiculousness of 221s.  Also they are getting to be "too new" for my taste.  I have the 401 and 403 mainly because they were all but given to me and to have a zig-zag capability.  The 301 doesn't have zig-zag so that was another reason not to chase one.

Well yesterday this popped up on Craigslist.

27-3 Back Together. Finally.

Well it only took a year, but here it is.  The 27-3 from 1908 is cleaned up and back together.

Working on the IF

Spent the day cleaning on the IF.  That and putting away Christmas decorations.  The original pitman was busted up pretty good so I checked with a friend to see if he might have one.  He did and excitedly I went to retrieve it.  Neither of us thought to check the length.  D'oh.  His was a 14" pitman, not the 15 3/4" I need.  I figured that out once I got it on and saw the pedal at the top of its stroke while the crank was at the bottom of its.  $#!+.  So I'm going to work on the TreadleOn hybrid now.  I also broke down and bought a 15 3/4" off Ebay.

Respect for the Dead. 15-91

I visited a friend today in search for parts for the IF.  While digging through I mentioned that I needed a IF or Model 15 presser assembly.  He whipped this little lady off the shelf and said, "There you go."

Adventure! 1884 Improved Family

In the previous post I mentioned that we had been on the road over the holidays.  We had driven down to Florida to visit with the wife's family there.  We left Connecticut on Dec 24th, drove down the coast, stopping off to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial on the North Carolina Outer Banks.  We headed back on 31st and went inland up through Knoxville to avoid I95.  We got home New Year's night.  No where during that time did I take a few minutes to check to see what was posted on Craigslist on the route.  If I had I would have seen this right on our way in Lexington.

 

My Wife is so Awesome! Singer-Kilbowie Shipping Crate!

Wow.  This is a truly 'back of the rack' find. I had seen it on Craigslist and kinda mentioned it in passing to the wife.  I mean it's just an old box right?  But people growing up in the 70s and 80s might remember Peaches Record Stores and those Peaches shipping crates to put albums in?  I mean it kind of reminded me of those.  While probably not something that younger folks could relate to, I thought it was interesting in a nostalgic way, but not something I would buy for myself.

The wife snuck out one day with other plans.  On Christmas morning (January 2nd actually, we were on the road during the actual holidays) our son disappeared  towards the end of gift unwrapping and showed back up with this huge package.  They were both surprised when I couldn't guess what it was.  I really had no clue that she would get it.

My Sister is so Awesome! 401A

I have a lot in common with my sister in Oklahoma.  We both like motorcycles and we both like sewing machines, Singers especially.  While my sister is able to keep herself in check and not overload her living space with them, I seem to have missed that part of the family genetic makeup.  So when she said she had a machine up in her attic that she was looking to get rid of I was like "WHAT!?  How do you bring yourself to part with a sewing machine?  I'll take it! Me-me-me-me-me!"

After going with the scout troop to Philmont in New Mexico we swung through Oklahoma on our way back for our summer visit.  Her husband pulled the thing out of the attic and had it waiting for us in the garage when we got there (like me, she married well).

Now here is the mental picture for you.  Three people with two weeks of back country camping gear in a Prius.  Then add a Singer 401 in a Parklane cabinet.  It was a wee cramped from Oklahoma back to Connecticut.

Okay, back in the swing. 15-91 (Anna)

Here's the first of my catch-up posts.  This little, hmm, beauty(?) was more of a rescue than something I went looking for.  Back in March I saw this 1954 15-91 on shopgoodwill.com with no bids.  I mean com'on a 15-91 those usually go for around 40-50 bucks on goodwill, so I put in a $16 bid, with the shipping of $18 it still brought me in under $50.  I figured the price would double by the end of the auction, but a least I tried.  So imagine my surprise when I won the thing for $16.

A year without posts. D'oh

So I haven't posted anything new in a year.  Wow.  Actually was kind of a busy year.  Philmont Scout Ranch with the troop ate up most of the year.  I did manage to get some new things though.  Those posts will be up later today.  For the restoration projects, they all kind of sat on the shelf for the year while prepping for the Philmont trip.  The 66, 127 and Domestic are all in the exact same condition as when I last posted in Jan of 16, and my wife still hasn't given me a beating over them.  Am I the luckiest guy in the world or what.  Anyway, trying to get back into the swing of things.

Speaking of the wife, I made her a chemise for Christmas, so that might buy me some leeway.  Will be finishing up her bespoke wool slacks in the next few weeks as well.  Hmmm maybe I can leverage that into a 301?  I would have said an Improved Family but... hehe... that post is coming.  Still no 115 though.