Any expert in vintage Singer sewing machines?

[59Lark]

i sent a alum. version to the Yukon last month, got a reply very happy now they want six more ,oops now I done it , gotta find some fast .gotta start doing some antiqueing, 59 lark

 

[59Lark]

Those crazy folks in the Yukon want six handcrank 201k, I found two in my cellar but the search is on too find more, it lead me to a amish farm at 10pm after we exercised our horse down the road from the shettlers 10 miles or so. he was expecting me and came out with a headlamp and 5we produced to a out building , complete with wood stove and set up like a treadle sewing machine shop of the 1890s, and we horse traded for a hour and I brought home two nice 201k .please excuse my bad grammar, and misspelling, vey tired must go to bed 59lark

 

[Just Jim]

What do you think of the 301? They sort of look like 1950s "high tech". I keep running across them, and I considered grabbing one for general use. (Instead I picked up a used Kenmore 385 series, which will probably last til I can find something better.)

I still haven't found a 201. I did run across a 221, which was sort of interesting. It had been stored in the garage for almost 20 years, periodically getting sprayed with WD40 so it didn't rust. The WD40 had dried to a lacquer-like consistency, the machine was froze up. Five hours of work with solvents and a brush, and some quick talking to get a friend to replace the motor and re-wire the machine, and it was good-to-go. That would NOT happen with something like this little Kenmore.

 

[BillyLocke2]

Hello 59lark, I’m new to this. I’ve been sewing for a few years and then discovered the internet!!! And bought myself a 411g , and then a real German treadle machine in a nice cabinet. A “veritas” sewing machine from 1957 . From a German woman who moved to Texas and brought her mothers old sewing machine. I’m really proud of it. I’ll send pictures if I can figure it out. The treadle cabinet was made in 1957, and my 411g (jenny) the serial numbers start with “JE”, was made a few years later.
But my question is about treadling the 411g, more specifically about the hand wheel. Mine is the electric one, and I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to go about modifying the hand wheel??? I read in some of your earlier posts about counter balance?, I’m not sure if I quoted you right? I also considered having one made out of steel!!! I don’t want to just tape another hand wheel to it. Thought maybe a 201, or a 301 hand wheel could be easily converted? But I don’t know anything about other machines.and don’t want to just throw money at it. I’m just a poor boy from Texas . I only paid $30 for my cabinet. I did have to pay $250 for “Jenny”. I sold my project truck to have her. But I know it’s well worth it. But if you maybe know someone who has the “ treadle hand wheel “ for the 411g that would be great too!!! Any ideas or insight from your experience would be appreciated very much.! Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you and more stories to read too!!!
Sorry I could not get the pictures to work right!!! It’s storming and it’s late and my wife wants me in bed with her. So until next time...
billylocke2@gmail.com

 

[GHT]

BillyLocke that's a rare find that you have there, I have turned the image to get a better look.

But my question is about treadling the 411g, more specifically about the hand wheel. Mine is the electric one, and I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to go about modifying the hand wheel?

The treadle cabinet is so rare these days, that is an amazing find. The 411 that I remember was of a different shape, but no matter. One of the biggest markets for non electrical versions of any sewing machine was Nigeria, where rural parts of the country were not on the mains electrical supply. But this was over 50 years ago. The 411 that I speak of had to be fettled into a more basic treadle, but the result was the same. Instead of a treadle belt try using flat urethane belting. It can be joined by melting both ends over a flame then fuse the ends together.

 

[PeterB]

This has to be the most fascinating of FL threads. A lifetime of learning right here.

 

[BillyLocke2]

Hello, GHT and company. I did not get a picture on last night ( of my 411g) it was late and the computer was not working right. That’s why three pictures of the same sewing machine “Veritas” I guess it could be from a German colony. I did not get to personal with the lady that sold it to me, but the manual is in German. It looked like Russian to me, but she said it was German!!? It sews but my tensioner is clamping down hard on the thread after a minute. So I’m going to replace the tension disc’s (with the spare that came with it in tha cabinet in the accessory box. I’ll send a picture of my 411g”Jenny”, in the same cabinet I’m refitting and a light re finish , I found a guy that will help me out with some tricks on bringing the finish back to it’s glory days while keeping the character of the piece. I.e. all the little nicks and the tiny scratches, that it’s accumulated over it’s long life.
I’m thinking of just having me a hand wheel machined for my 411g, I looked up that flat belt you suggested and it was expensive. Maybe I looked on the wrong internet site???

This will not let me send pictures of my 411g in the cabinet!!? Just like last night.
But it fit right in the cabinet and lined up perfect. All I still have to do is set the hinges and screw them down, well and figure out what I’m going to do about the hand wheel. In a perfect world I would buy the right hand wheel and swap it out.
I do appreciate all the help and advice given. Till next time
BillyLocke2

 

[BillyLocke2]

This was the only picture that would come through but here it is ... my 411g in my cabinet... it’s just sitting in it, but every thing lines up just right. AWSOME... one more Q?... why is the placards on my 411 different than other 411’s???. Is it early or late models??? Or different factories??? Well thanks again for your time. And knowledge, and I will look again into the flat belts you told me about.

 

[BillyLocke2]

Yes I found a site where the orange belts are cheap. Thanks for suggesting it . And re-investigating .
I wonder what would be the “max” weight a 411g machine could handle on balance wheel shaft and bearings with out wearing them out prematurely???
Well if anyone has any advice or wants to chime in, I would appreciate it.

 

[59Lark]

I have converted many 411g, to treadle, I used a round file and using the motor I turn the soft metal put a groove for the treadle belt into it , then remove the plastic plug on the bed and remove the motor , some had me leave the lamp in and put a single lead cord just too provide power to the lamp, also you have to leave the metal bottom cover off the machine , most good quality treadle belts are around $10 us . 411 G indicated that the machine was made in germany, wittenberg I believe the german plant, the machine was intended to be a treadle and therefore has counter balance weights on the main shaft and is balanced to be a treadle and well oiled treadles well. its also features a really good chain stitch feature which is one of the best chain stitch on a domestic machine I have ever seen in 38 yrs a singer mechanic . yours 59 lark

 

[59Lark]

sorry to have taken so long to reply have been dating after losin my wife and I have not looked at this forum for a long time, and I will now winter is coming look at this forum more often yours 59 lark

 

[Woodtroll]

sorry to have taken so long to reply have been dating after losin my wife and I have not looked at this forum for a long time, and I will now winter is coming look at this forum more often yours 59 lark

It's good to see you back, sir! Very sorry for your unfortunate loss and glad you are able to begin moving on. That's got to take some real grit.

 

[robrinay]

I’ve just picked up a Singer ‘featherweight’ for £80. I reckon that’s a bargain? I’ve serviced it and all appears well. Time to cull the herd and sell on at least 2 of my Singer 201k’s.

 

[GHT]

Is your Featherweight a 221? They have become a rarity and are highly prized. Did you know that Singer produced the: "Sewhandy" after acquiring the Standard sewing machine company. The Sewhandy was the forerunner of the Featherweight, much heavier though, find one with Standard embossed on it and you will be sitting on a small goldmine.

Singer produced the Featherweight in the US, Canada & UK, the production ran for some 35 years. For a small machine is it most robust, strong and versatile. Despite the numbers made they are, if not rare, hard to find. I would love to find an early model. Have you got a photo of your Featherweight?

 

[WizardOfBoz]

I have a 29k, an industrial boot patcher. Are the needle shanks the same as an ordinary household machine. Got the machine but no needles and my dealer won't get me less than 50. Booooooo! Be good if ordinary needles fit

Buy 50 and sell 40 on ebay in lots of 10.
I recently bought 250' of 1/8" shock cord for masks. US made, high quality. But I only needed 20 feet! I have to put 4 50' hanks on ebay. Will pay for the 250 no problem!

 

[GHT]

Something that I found on my lady's wish list. She will have to wait until her birthday towards the end
next month. The amount of wizardry on it makes my head explode but the lady is unfazed.
https://www.sewingmachinesales.co.uk/sewing-machine/necchi/necchi-rosso-200.html
It will prove a good investment too. There's a couple of blazers that I won't have to pay a tailor to make.


This blazer was professionally made, in the style that is both classic and timeless.

 

[1930artdeco]

Downtown Seattle clothes store. The whole store front is this way.

Mike

 

[tonyb]

I miss our old friend 59Lark, our resident expert on sewing machines, and an interesting personality.

 

[belfastboy]

Downtown Seattle clothes store. The whole store front is this way.

Mike

Yes, when we visit Seattle I make a point of walking past that shop I don't know how to use one but I sure like looking at them.