Topic: Ebay find - New machine (sewing machine that is)

[kpier883]

I went to pick up an old Singer sewing machine today.  It needs some work:

• New power cords for both the foot pedal to the distribution block and the one from the foot pedal to the wall supply
• General cleaning and lubing
• Carrying case could use a re-finish and a de-stinkifying session

Don't know if the electric motor will run yet until I get new wires on it.  The old ones are frayed, cracked and naked in many spots.  I will also have to go find a manual to figure out how to set up the thread runs as well as the bobbin spool.  But at least all the mechanical parts seem to turn and go up and down and back and forth with the correct timing.  The "walker" does walk a piece of material as it should, and the adjustments change the distance between stitches as it should.  I ran a piece of paper through it and made adjustments and could see the spacing of the holes did change. 

Should be fun to get it going. 

Here are a few pictures:

[hoodellyhoo]

Cool find. You can't help but say it: "they don't build em like they used to"

[mystic_1]

Nice find!

You could probably do seat covers or sew patches on jackets and vests with that machine.

mystic_1

[kpier883]

Cool find. You can't help but say it: "they don't build em like they used to"

Yes indeed.  Based on the model number G728587 and the Singer records, it was built in 1910.  So 100 years old!  I am wondering if the electric motor was a retrofit or if they actually shipped with electric motors in 1910?

I have spent the last few hours tinkering around with it. The bobbin line was stuck so I took the bobbin holder out of the machine and found that the bobbin would not fall out of the housing.  Checked some internet sources and found that it should indeed just fall out.  Also noticed that even out of the machine I couldn't make the thread spool off the bobbin by pulling the loose end.  So I had to take a screw out of the end and remove a long double edged spring mechanism in order to get a pick inside to pry out the bobbin.  It turns out that screw sets the tension on the bobbin thread, so I may have some adjusting to do.

What I found was grease (probably put there by the factory 100 years ago) in the end of the bobbin holder.  It was about as hard as epoxy and both the bobbin and the housing were stuck in it.  It seems that was what was preventing the bobbin from turning in the housing.  After digging out the grease and  getting it nice and clean I added a drop of  Marvel Mystery in the housing.  And now the bobbin goes in and out of the housing just fine and the line seems to feed properly.  Then I cleaned up some other areas and oiled all the oil holes and found some thread.  Now what I wondered.  How do I run the thread?

Good old youtube to the rescue to figure out how to route the thread and hook the bobbin thread.  Was able to get the needle in place and threaded and ran a 4" stitch.  My 11 year old son was turning the machine by hand because the power cords are bad; I dare not plug it up until the wiring is sorted, so no electricity for this one yet...  It sewed a pretty good line but skipped some stitches, so it will take a little more fiddling.  Or maybe it just needs to run a little to get back in the swing, like a Honda in the spring time

Good fun.  When I get it running right it will be time to make some wool long johns for winter rides.  

[kpier883]

Nice find!

You could probably do seat covers or sew patches on jackets and vests with that machine.

mystic_1

it does seem sturdy enough for that sort of work.  I have an old Kawasaki that needs a new seat cover. 

[ColinMc]

Probably converted? It probably originally had a belt that ran down to a large metal foot "pedal" you would pump to get things going...that's the way one of my vintage ones is from around that time period

[78 k550]

Nice find.
If you need help with the wire I can. It looks to be a nice old machine.
Just use sewing oil to clean and keep the machine looking nice.
Not much to them after you thread it.

Paul

[78 k550]

Did you get it running?

I also work on Pfaff, Bernina, Kenmore, Brother and Janome and Tin Lizzy.

If anyone has any questions on other machines.

Paul

[74cb750]

I have an old sewing machine that belonged to my mother, before she lost her eyesight.
Let me tell you, I was not impressed when I came home to find my wife sanding it.
Now it looks like junk.
Oh well.

[78 k550]

I have an old sewing machine that belonged to my mother, before she lost her eyesight.
Let me tell you, I was not impressed when I came home to find my wife sanding it.
Now it looks like junk.
Oh well.

Sorry to hear that. Some thing you just have to let go. Does your wife still use it? If so good for her.

Paul

[kpier883]

I have an old sewing machine that belonged to my mother, before she lost her eyesight.
Let me tell you, I was not impressed when I came home to find my wife sanding it.
Now it looks like junk.
Oh well.

Wow, that is like a punch in the gut.

[kpier883]

Did you get it running?

I also work on Pfaff, Bernina, Kenmore, Brother and Janome and Tin Lizzy.

If anyone has any questions on other machines.

Paul

Hi Paul,

Yes I did get it running.  I sort of just rigged up some new wire from two old extension cords just to see whether the motor would run and if the foot pedal would regulate properly.  It started right up and the pedal was fine too.  I have had to work with the thread drag settings a good bit, but it is working pretty well now.  I made up a set of long john bottoms last night using an old Merino wool sweater.  It turned out pretty good for a first try.  Only problem is that I have them a bit too short in the back at the waist.  It will take a little modifying to get them right. 

I hope to learn from the mistake and get the next set right.

Mainly I have had problems with the thread binding up when it is feeding off one end of the bobbin.  The other problem is that the upper thread tension device sometimes grabs the thread.  After taking it apart at least 6 times and adjusting the location of the little thread spring I realized that wasn't the problem.  The other (tension) spring was not in the right place.  Once that was resolved I was back in business.  Weird thing was that the first thread I tried ran fine but without changing the spring, the second spool refused to cooperate. 

I found several videos of how to thread the machine, but my tension device is not the same as the ones I was able to find. So I am on my own until I order a manual.

I also suspect that I may have to get another bobbin housing as this one binds up from time to time.

Anyway, I keep adjusting, cleaning and testing.  It keeps getting better.  Overall, I am really pleased with this thing.

BTW it is apparently called a model 27.