MovingTarget's new project

[MovingTarget]

So, I recently came upon this little gem from a friend cleaning out a storage unit. It is an old Singer sewing machine head that was put into a carrying case and upgraded with an electric motor.

Pics you say?

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The little sign opposite the side with the motor is the brand of the reseller, who originally did the upgrade back sometime in the dark ages. I can get a picture of this too, as soon as the flash on my camera quits acting up.

The case is kinda ratty, but if the outer fabric is removed and the wood sanded down, it could end up looking quite nice. I'm not sure what exactly to do about the head itself due to the gold leaf decoration.

I've confirmed that the machine indeed works now. All that it needed was a little electric work - replacing a frayed wire and getting new brushes put into the motor (which was completely shot). After a little bit of machine oil added to the moving parts, the bobbin moves smoothly underneath the needle. Once I get a new (tighter) belt, I should be able to do my first fabric test run.

So, does anybody in ATOT have experience restoring old machines like this? Any suggestions?

Edit: Formatting

 

[tasmanian]

Very nice. New sewing machines are so much better though.

 

[AreaCode707]

I have an old Singer like that in good shape (thought it was electric from the get-go.) Also have the table it fits into. It needs a little tweaking to be really usable (bunches up fabric right now) but it does run. My grandmother gave it to me but I have no idea what to do with it.

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I have an old Singer like that in good shape (thought it was electric from the get-go.) Also have the table it fits into. It needs a little tweaking to be really usable (bunches up fabric right now) but it does run. My grandmother gave it to me but I have no idea what to do with it.

I'm still learning myself. I don't even know how to properly thread the thing yet, much less sew with it. However, thats part of the fun. I wish mine was the kind that came in a table instead of the carrying case. They really knew how to build those to last.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I have an old Singer like that in good shape (thought it was electric from the get-go.) Also have the table it fits into. It needs a little tweaking to be really usable (bunches up fabric right now) but it does run. My grandmother gave it to me but I have no idea what to do with it.

I'm still learning myself. I don't even know how to properly thread the thing yet, much less sew with it. However, thats part of the fun. I wish mine was the kind that came in a table instead of the carrying case. They really knew how to build those to last.

It comes in a carrying case with a table that has a cutout. The cutout can be left in, in which case it just looks like a card table, or removed and the sewing machine comes out of the case and fits in. Kinda nifty, actually. I don't really know how to sew anything more than a seam but I would have to say the modern machines are the way to go from a function standpoint. I've been hanging on to the Singer because Gram gave it to me and because it would make a kind of neat conversation piece of decoration someday.

 

[MichaelD]

Very cool project. I enjoy reading about things like this. My grandmother had one very similar to yours. It was built into a table and the middle portion of the table top actually rotated 180-degrees and the machine would flip up from underneath. It was electric IIRC. Good luck w/the project.

 

[ahenkel]

My mom went a little nuts with the sewing machines she had about 15 in her house for a while. She's becoming the cat lady just with sewing machines

 

[MovingTarget]

bump. I know that newer sewing machines run much better, but everybody loves the character that comes with a well-built piece of obsolete technology. Car guys are just one example. Anyway, I'm still having trouble actually identifying the model of the particular head. Any ideas?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Looks like you have Singer model 27 or 28. You can see it here.