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.

27-4 Cleaning. At Last.

Before getting side tracked with the Domestic, I had the issue of the 15-87's bobbin winder not liking the smaller belt ring on the spoken handwheel.  Since the motor will eventually be going back on the 15-87 along with the solid hand wheel it wasn't really a major problem.  I just needed to decide which machine would take its place in the treadle.

Since the treadle sits in the middle of the dining room (along with the 201's treadle and the table for the 403A) I figured it would probably be best to put it up to a family vote which machine was going to be mounted on it.  My candidates were the 66-1 and the 1908 27-4.  I went with the 1908 instead of the 1896 due to the '08's better decals at present.

It was a split vote.  Our son went for the 66-1.  I guess the red eye decals look more violent or something.  The wife went with the 27-3 because the colors match the carpet better.  Another valid reason for choosing a sewing machine.

It came down to me.  Since I already have The Wicked Queen, Black Swan and 403A in tables for use I went with the 27-4 to have a VS machine as well.

A Gift From The Universe

When I picked up the seven drawer treadle it had a lot of top clamping presser feet with it.  It also has some non-Singer bobbins and bobbin carriers.

Treadle Cleaning

Well we didn't lose power during the "Blizzard of '16", and only got about 3" of snow.  Instead of sewing by candle light I spent the day taking apart the seven-drawer and cleaning it up a bit.  The iron isn't in bad shape at all, a bit of dusting with a brush, a little rubbing compound and oil and it is presentable.  The wood took a little more effort.

I started by taking everything apart.  I left the drawer frames attached, I probably should have taken them off as well but I'm not a furniture refinisher.  I'll leave that for the wife when she gets time.

What a Difference a Day Makes

So I had a treadle sized hole in my heart and 6 square feet of un-Singered space.  What to do?  Buy another treadle, of course!

Well That Kind of Sucks

The straight leg treadle is going on the inactive roster.  Here's the last photo before it will be taken apart and stored at least through the summer.

Change of Plans

(Jan 20th, 2019 edit:  Needle+thread asked in the comments what the difference between a 15-87 and 15-97 was.  All in the bobbin winder.  Which I then noticed were the older style on both of mine so, tada, back to 15-87).

I posted before that I would probably start working on one of the 27s next.  And I was going to, really.  But then I was looking at the 15-87's wiring and decided to pull the motor off.  Then take the motor apart.  Then start cleaning the case of the motor.  Then start cleaning the mounting bracket.  Then cleaning the pedestal where it looks like the motor wiring caught on fire against it.  Well, then I just had 15-87 pieces all over the place.  The steel wood and Dremel came out.

The 27s are back in line as I tinker with the 15-87.  It has cleaned up nicely.  I don't know if I can get the badge discoloration from the electrical fire fixed, but I'll keep working on it.

Really. I can stop whenever I want.

I just need one more.  Just one.

The 1896 27-3 arrived today.  And it will truly be the last one for a bit.  It's in pretty rough shape.  It's all together but it's going to take some work to get it looking good again.  And it will be the next priority after the current restoration project.

I don't think there is a decent decal left on it.  So I'm not going to feel bad going after it with the paint removing.  It really looks like someone went after it with Drain-O or something with a ton of ammonia in it.  The first couple of photos aren't in the best focus, but you aren't missing anything.

Holy Crap, Dude!

So yeah, I'm imagining my friend Sheldon saying that as he looks at this picture.

First Machine From Today's Haul

I figured I would post the photos going from oldest to newest.

First up is a 1908 Model 27-4.  One of the important items about this machine is that it fills out the 00 decade hole in my collection.  Hey, that's kind of important.  I'm now covered from the 1890s to 1960s, with the exception of the 1940s.  Maybe I'll pick up a 40s 99 to fill in there.

The decals are excellent compared to what I normally get.  Not as good as Wicked Queen's, but they are in better condition that Black Swan's.  There are just a couple of specs of silvering on them.  Someone did put tape over the front slide plate, but I'll work that off gently.  I think this one will be the first cleaned up.  It won't get the straight leg treadle though, that's still either going to be the 1896 (that should be here in a couple of days) or the 15-30.  I guess I need to get a couple more treadle bases to house the growing family.

Machine #2 - 127-3(1?)

Now when I put my ad up on Craigslist this is the type of machine I was expecting to get.  Decals pretty much gone.  Paint well chewed through.  It's a 1913 Model 127-3.  It's possibly a 127-1, the models are identical. The ISMACS website specifically calls out 1913 at the year of the 127-3 though, so I'll trust the experts on it.  I do get chastised pretty often for taking other people's word on Singer history.  I go to the books as well, but since I don't have decades of experience a lot of the descriptions in the parts manuals go over my head.  The 66s and 15s are easier because the later parts manuals have drawings of what each model looks like.  I haven't found that for any of the vibrating shuttle machines yet.

This one is beat up enough that I think it might actually slip to the front of the restoration line, ahead of the 15-30.  I still have no experience doing the transfer decals and the 15-30 is in good enough shape that I don't want to screw it up by making a mess of the decals.

Machine #3 - 66-4

So I had toyed with the idea of converting the current rebuild 66 machine to be a treadle.  I guess that's off the books for now.  This 66-4 is from 1925, a year older than the rebuild one.  I'm up to three 66s, same number as I have of 15s.  I'm thinking I'm keeping all of the 15s though.  The 66s will go to the back of the restore line after I finish with the current one.

Machine #4 - 66-6

Here's another 66-6 to go with the current rebuild machine.  This one is from 1931.  I guess I'm going to start adding years to the machine tags now.  I'm not sure why I keep having these 66s fall to me.  It's not like I'm the world's biggest 66 fan.  They are great, sure, but I'm more of a vertical or rotating hook kind of guy.  Maybe one day I'll stumble on a 115 and be in Singer Nirvana.

Last one (for now) - 15-87

Lastly, here's the 1937 15-87.  This one I offered back to the seller because I really think I got too good of a deal on it.  It has the RAF decals and it's a 15-87 with it's cool, funky reversed stitch regulator.  The seller was happy to have had me take it though, said it sounded like it was in my "wheel house".  So I'm keeping it.  I thought briefly about converting it over to a 15-86 for a treadle, but I need to get a lot more treadle tables before thinking about that.  So just into the cleaning line now.

Yay! More stuff!

Oh look, the treadle fairy came.

Another Before And After

I was sewing some 1.1oz ripstop nylon and insultex again to day.  When I needed a break before setting fire to the whole project I decided to give the 66's badge a quick polishing with some Eagle One Never Dull.  I was pretty impressed with the results.  Here's the before and after, of course.

It's hard for the camera to really do justice.  The badge is not washed out like it appears, it has a nice brass glow.  Though the camera does pick up some areas where I can give it a bit more polishing.  I'm really happy I got the badge removal figured out and didn't have to damage it or the pins removing them.

Also if you like old sewing machines here's a link for a film to watch

- Birth of a Sewing Machine - 

It's seventy minutes of silent footage of the Singer plant at Kilbowie shot in 1934 and is hosted by the National Library of Scotland.

Back to sewing ripstop.  Grrr