Joined the club and brought this Singer :) now a few noob questions.

[kard133]

I hope to collect this Singer 128k on Saturday. Now a few questions for those of you who know about these "Thread Injectors". The machine is described as working and I have downloaded the manual for it, but what do I use to clean the mechanisms prior to oiling?
What accessories do you recommend, and if possible can you quote the part numbers and maybe give links to retailers you trust?
What have you created with machines similar to this, my first project is a basic draw string bag for my Zebra Billy, how complex have your projects been?
Any links to good sites for instructions, patterns and tips and tricks?

 

[Teepee]

Hi Kard

I'm not sure about cleaning it, never had to apart from brushing out the lint from the bobbin case. I've got a pre-war singer and all it needs is a drop of oil in every hole and then running for a couple of mins to get it running sweetly. For any repairs I use a local repairer-hes very cheap and knows his thread injecting onions.

You can do loads with a singer, I find it sews through thicker material much better than modern domestic machines and sews more neatly too. I've made plenty on it now but nothing too complex, just underquilts, stuff sacks, hammocks etc.

HF have a great stickies section on thread injecting by a member called Rev.

 

[kard133]

Thanks Teepee, but what does HF stand for?

 

[Teepee]

Sorry mate, Hammock Forums.

 

[bilmo-p5]

Hi Kard I'm not sure about cleaning it, never had to apart from brushing out the lint from the bobbin case. I've got a pre-war singer and all it needs is a drop of oil in every hole and then running for a couple of mins to get it running sweetly. For any repairs I use a local repairer-hes very cheap and knows his thread injecting onions.

I'm with Teepee. Beyond oiling now and then consult your local repairer - there'll be one. One hint though; when you've put a drop of oil in the various holes turn the machine for a while without thread. If you're not actually sewing something you'll end up with a right dog's breakfast which could ultimately break your needle.

 

[Mesquite]

What have you created with machines similar to this, my first project is a basic draw string bag for my Zebra Billy, how complex have your projects been?
Any links to good sites for instructions, patterns and tips and tricks?

Have a look at Waylands recent Snow Smock thread for a complex project

Any links to good sites for instructions, patterns and tips and tricks?

Drop John Fenna a PM and ask for a copy of his DIY bushcraft book... plenty of ideas, tips and hints to get you started

 

[kard133]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I pick it up on Saturday

 

[Zingmo]

She looks a real beauty. I bet you spend a while just stroking her!

Start with real simple projects like bags and pouches made from the legs of old trousers. Use cheap material to start as there may be some wastage while you get to know the machine. Everything on the machine is there for a reason; find out what each does.

My sewing is wonky like my spoons, but like my spoons, it is uniquely mine (and I'm going to bl**dy use it, cause I bl**dy made it!).

Keep us up to date with your progress.

Z (wearing trousers with wonky hems)

 

[kard133]

I probably will end up admiring it for a while, using the serial number Iv'e found out it was made in Scotland in 1913, so at 98 years and still working, it only proves that in those days they built to last. I have arranged to collect it after 14:00hrs on Saturday.

 

[Teepee]

Fantastic Kard, you won't regret it. Have fun oiling her up, she'll purr like a kitten when you do.

 

[Grebby]

My advice, when picking it up keep your back straight and bend at the knees.... They weigh a bit

I've got a later version with an electric motor conversion, my dad still uses a hand cranked one like yours.

You might have a collection of weird and wonderful feet in the compartment on the RHS. Don't worry about them they are for posh sewing and I had to ask me mum what they were for. I still haven't used them

Seriously, a drop of oil every now and then is about it, they are pretty much bomb proof.

Cheers
Grebby

 

[bilmo-p5]

...she'll purr like a kitten when you do.

Like all good sayings, "Runs like a sewing machine," is grounded in practical experience. You'll twig straight away if something's not quite right, but chances are it'll all be fine. These things were extremely well built, and built to last.

 

[kard133]

Well, I got it
For a 98 year old machine, as far as I can tell it is working as well as the day it was made.

The case is in good condition.

The machine has a few marks where the paint has rubbed.

The engraving on this plate is a little tarnished, a bit of Brasso maybe?

The actual working of the machine is fine, the shuttle moves smoothly, the handle cranks smoothly, and the sewn line is straight (Any variance is down to me )

Here is a project I used the machine to finish, the heavy black stitches I did by hand taking me around one and a half hours, the pipe for the drawer string took all of five minutes on this beauty.

(Best Rolf Harris impression) Can you guess what it is yet!

And here is a picture of the Bobbin winder in action, I found out that I had two, one in the shuttle and another in the storage compartment, along with three extra needles, some hemming tape, some flat elastic and a bit of sandpaper (?)

I am really happy with this piece of mechanical history, and having found and purchased a binder foot, a hemmer and an adjustable hemmer I will never need to buy a stuff sack again. On a side note my brother has already had me fix the seat of his work trousers and a t-shirt whose seam he ripped..

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and encouragement, it is appreciated.

 

[Laurentius]

Nice. I have one of those which I bought for a fiver at the Birmingham Flea Market decades ago. They just keep on going, my dad used to recommend gun oil for them, but I use three in one. The biggest problem is getting the thread tension right, but I used to make all my own kit on a machine like that. I made a couple of rucksacks and all manner of custom bags.

 

[ged]

You have to be very careful with these things or they can get out of hand. My wife has at least seven of them now...

 

[Teepee]

Chuffed for you mate, looks great.

Almost identical to mine except the double winder-I feel left out now

Be careful with the brasso, you may lose the pattern altogether. You will find that as you oil it before every use, the excess oil needs wiping away and this polishes the machine for free. I'd see if it comes up without any abrasives first, Coca cola works a treat.