Singer sewing machine experts (1 Viewer)

[mitzimad]

just watched the video on jims blog of the machines being made it makes you realise how hard work was then

 

[scotjimland]

I thought it was a really interesting film, not just because it was Singer's but as a bit of social history. ..
.. a crying shame it closed.. and demolished the iconic clock tower.. I bought the DVD

if you haven't seen already ,. watch here http://ssa.nls.uk/film/1592

the 320k on eBay sold for £111

 

[jezport]

Got messed around buying my 201k. But Ive just paid £65 for a centenary edition electric 201k it should be delivered Monday. Fingers crossed this time!

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[jezport]

Got my 201k today. Gave it a good clean and had a play. All working well but it has an original motor and pedal, Ive been told if I fit a new modern one I will get a better control of speed.
I need to give it an oil.

Quite an impressive piece of machinery for 1951.

 

[CWH]

Have you seen this @ScotJimland ? It's a fashion shop on the Quays in Gloucester, this window & the one on the other side are full of old Singers!

 

[GJH]

There are several of those All Saints shops around the country with old machines decorating their windows.

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[scotjimland]

@CWH yes.. seen it.. We lived in Colchester for a short time

 

[CWH]

I'd never even heard of All Saints before. Don't get to shopping malls very much...
Makes a brilliant display. Are they all genuine vintage Singers?

 

[GJH]

I'd never even heard of All Saints before. Don't get to shopping malls very much...
Makes a brilliant display. Are they all genuine vintage Singers?

I think they are all genuine vintage machines but may not all be Singers.

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[Debs]

I think there's one in Brighton, near the edge of the Laines.

 

[scotjimland]

I'd never even heard of All Saints before. Don't get to shopping malls very much...
Makes a brilliant display. Are they all genuine vintage Singers?

Mostly .. Singer produce literally millions of machines, a one time I guess most households had a 'Singer' , but there is a good sprinkling of other makes, like Jones etc ..

Vintage has no meaning.. unless you put a date on it.. ie Vintage 1950 ... very misused on eBay ..however, it is being (mis)used more and more to denote something from the past of high quality..

If interested in old sewing machines .. have a look

ISMACS International
International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society

 

[jezport]

Ive been experimenting with my New/Old 201k. Im getting quite good now. I thought I would improve things by purchasing some new needles. Well I guess the Singer ones I bought on ebay are copies. The eyes are not smooth and break the thread all the time, so refitted the old needle and all back to normal.
Can anyone recommend which is the best needles for the 201k?

Thanks

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[scotjimland]

I suggest you buy Singer needles from Singer.. there are several types, depending what you are sewing , . heavy duty, quilting etc ..
I suggest a pack of mixed sizes to start off.. buy on line or at any good sewing machine shop.. http://www.singerco.com/accessories/needles

Schmetz are also excellent needles..
http://www.singerco.com/accessories/needles

 

[GJH]

Ive been experimenting with my New/Old 201k. Im getting quite good now. I thought I would improve things by purchasing some new needles. Well I guess the Singer ones I bought on ebay are copies. The eyes are not smooth and break the thread all the time, so refitted the old needle and all back to normal.
Can anyone recommend which is the best needles for the 201k?

Thanks

Jill is a member of several sewing forums. It might be worth having a look as members in your area may be able to tell you the best place locally to purchase needles as per Jim's recommendation.

 

[jezport]

Thanks for all the advice. I have spent a lot of time practicing with my 201k and have got quite good. My first batch of needles bought on Ebay were defective, the seller refunded so no problems there. I have now got good needles and although I was going to change the motor and pedal for a new modern one I have now got a lot better with the old one, although Im sure that the new nersion will make speed control more accurate. Bought a cool gooseneck LED lamp in Ikea that works a treat with the machine.

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[scotjimland]

I was going to change the motor and pedal for a new modern one I have now got a lot better with the old one, although Im sure that the new nersion will make speed control more accurate.

You can get a digital pedal that will work with the Singer motor and may help with speed control, but I've never bothered.. I get on fine with the Singer pedal.

Perhaps your pedal is needing a clean .. ? It is just a variable wire wound resistor and the contacts that slide up and down can get dirty .. or need adjusting so they slide smoothly and evenly.. very basic and little to go wrong.. It also has a capacitor across the connections which may be faulty, it is only a suppressor to stop interference on other electrical kit, so can be removed safely.

 

[jezport]

Ive had a go at cleaning and re-adjusting the pedal, it seems slightly better. I will know better once I have done some more work on it.

 

[Puddleduck]

Ive been experimenting with my New/Old 201k. Im getting quite good now. I thought I would improve things by purchasing some new needles. Well I guess the Singer ones I bought on ebay are copies. The eyes are not smooth and break the thread all the time, so refitted the old needle and all back to normal.
Can anyone recommend which is the best needles for the 201k?

Thanks

I buy my needles from Barnyarns in Ripon they are mostly mail order. You can ring them for advice.

www.barnyarns.co.uk

Generally I avoid "universal" needles and use "top stitch" needles for most things making sure it is the correct size for the weight of thread I'm using. The smaller the number on the needle the finer the thread it can cope with. a 70 needles is for very fine thread, 80 for fine, 90 for medium and 100 heavy thread. I never use more than a 100 needle and generally use an 80 or 90. For specialist sewing (e.g. denim or leather) I would use the proper needle. Don't use cheap needles they are a false economy. I like the superior brand - personal preference but they have served me well.

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[magicsurfbus]

I've spotted this item that's coming up in a forthcoming auction - best guess is 1940s/50s kid's sewing machine.

Any thoughts on rarity ScotJimLand?

 

[scotjimland]

@magicsurfbus

it's rare.. I've never seen one..

agree with the dating.. but will get back if I find out more..

 

[scotjimland]

Definitely the 1950s and not as valuable or collectable as the very early Model 20

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model_20_toy.html

had a quick look on ebay, .. sold listings between £40 -£100 ..

worth a £20 punt

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[magicsurfbus]

Definitely the 1950s and not as valuable or collectable as the very early Model 20

..worth a £20 punt

Thanks - I'll take a closer look at its condition tomorrow but will probably be outbid on the day.

 

[34127]

Have you seen this @ScotJimland ? It's a fashion shop on the Quays in Gloucester, this window & the one on the other side are full of old Singers!

The All Saints shop in Buchanan Street in Glasgow has approx. 500 singer sowing machines on display in their shop window. I believe they all came from the Singer works that was in Clydebank. It is estimated that from its opening in 1884 until 1943 the Kilbowie factory produced over 36 Million sewing machines.

Have you seen this @ScotJimland ? It's a fashion shop on the Quays in Gloucester, this window & the one on the other side are full of old Singers!

 

[magicsurfbus]

Definitely the 1950s and not as valuable or collectable as the very early Model 20

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/model_20_toy.html

had a quick look on ebay, .. sold listings between £40 -£100 ..

worth a £20 punt

Much to my surprise I managed to bag it for less than £15 and it appears to be fully working. Advice much appreciated thank you sir.

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[jezport]

Is it a cobblers machine? It has a rather large flywheel

 

[scotjimland]

Much to my surprise I managed to bag it for less than £15 and it appears to be fully working. Advice much appreciated thank you sir.

well done.. good buy

Is it a Shoemakers machine? It has a rather large flywheel

no, it's a small child's machine.. this shows the scale

 

[jockaneezer]

You can get a digital pedal that will work with the Singer motor and may help with speed control, but I've never bothered.. I get on fine with the Singer pedal.

Perhaps your pedal is needing a clean .. ? It is just a variable wire wound resistor and the contacts that slide up and down can get dirty .. or need adjusting so they slide smoothly and evenly.. very basic and little to go wrong.. It also has a capacitor across the connections which may be faulty, it is only a suppressor to stop interference on other electrical kit, so can be removed safely.

Went to a local guy for a new needle clamp for my old Pffaf and told him the control pedal was playing up, he gave me an old bakelite Singer model and said they were bullet proof, he mentioned about the capacitor and I did have to remove it to get it to work

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[jezport]

Went to a local guy for a new needle clamp for my old Pffaf and told him the control pedal was playing up, he gave me an old bakelite Singer model and said they were bullet proof, he mentioned about the capacitor and I did have to remove it to get it to work

Went to a local guy for a new needle clamp for my old Pffaf and told him the control pedal was playing up, he gave me an old bakelite Singer model and said they were bullet proof, he mentioned about the capacitor and I did have to remove it to get it to work

Had a good look at my pedal, and found it was sparking inside the ceramic of the wire wound unit. So bought a new modern pedal and motor for £32.99. The new pedal is a lot more comfy to press as well as having more control. It now runs like new, especially since I cleaned and oiled it properly.

 

[jezport]

Ive attached a photo now I have it polished

 

[Puddleduck]

Ive attached a photo now I have it polished

Looks lovely

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