Photos of hatters tools

[deadlyhandsome]

No more hand sewing brim bindings. Just won this 1956 Singer 201-2 for that very purpose. This is one smooth running machine. The Husqvarna foot pedal isn't original to the Singer but it does a very nice job, nonetheless. Unfortunately, the cover over motor received some damage via FedEx shipping. It was pretty badly dented. I was able to take a block of Ipe, (eepay), wood and a hammer and I pounded the dent back out. It still looks bad, though, but it at least it doesn't affect the running condition. I'll look for another cover and replace it. Other than that, the Singer's in very good condition and all the decals are intact. It's a good looking machine and very nicely balanced, and very heavy too. I can't wait to get started with it.

This is the kind of stuff that makes me hesitant to buy anything off eBay. When they said that it was going to be shipped by FedEx, I was immediately nervous about that whole thing, and this is the way I received it. I'm just relieved that this was all that was damaged. I'll find another cover and replace it later on. Other than that, it runs great.

Congratulations, Terry! I should just send you a #52 block in my size and a flange or two and have you take over my refurbishment work.


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[AbbaDatDeHat]

This is a custom sized long oval and straight sided block made for a fellow FL’er.
It is constructed of select, straight grain mahogany 8/4” slabs. The woods grain is arranged in, I believe, an attractive symmetrical pattern.
Good for ‘show and go’.
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Complete with display stand and custom mahogany band block.

Stunning work Rock! Absolutely impeccable!
B

 

[T Jones]

Congratulations, Terry! I should just send you a #52 block in my size and a flange or two and have you take over my refurbishment work.


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Two thumbs up on that one, Kemosabe!

 

[humanshoes]

No more hand sewing brim bindings. Just won this 1956 Singer 201-2 for that very purpose. This is one smooth running machine. The Husqvarna foot pedal isn't original to the Singer but it does a very nice job, nonetheless. Unfortunately, the cover over motor received some damage via FedEx shipping. It was pretty badly dented. I was able to take a block of Ipe, (eepay), wood and a hammer and I pounded the dent back out. It still looks bad, though, but it at least it doesn't affect the running condition. I'll look for another cover and replace it. Other than that, the Singer's in very good condition and all the decals are intact. It's a good looking machine and very nicely balanced, and very heavy too. I can't wait to get started with it.

This is the kind of stuff that makes me hesitant to buy anything off eBay. When they said that it was going to be shipped by FedEx, I was immediately nervous about that whole thing, and this is the way I received it. I'm just relieved that this was all that was damaged. I'll find another cover and replace it later on. Other than that, it runs great.

Beautiful machine Terry! That 201 is, by most accounts, the best home sewing machine that Singer ever made. Another great thing about the old Singers, aside from the fact that they were made to last many lifetimes, is that parts were made by the millions so are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Good luck with your binding efforts and all the refurb work that you're likely to get from the good folks here on the FL.

 

[Rockwater]

Stunning work Rock! Absolutely impeccable!
B

Thanks B, I appreciate that.

 

[T Jones]

Beautiful machine Terry! That 201 is, by most accounts, the best home sewing machine that Singer ever made. Another great thing about the old Singers, aside from the fact that they were made to last many lifetimes, is that parts were made by the millions so are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Good luck with your binding efforts and all the refurb work that you're likely to get from the good folks here on the FL.

Thank you Rick! I can't wait to get started with it. It's a real smooth running machine and you can tell that it was very well built. A couple of other people I spoke with said the very thing you did about it. I've been doing some diy you tubing but my wife already seems to know how to use it and it looks like I'm going to have to hit eBay again for another one because I think she's going to take it away from me! I had a FedEx shipping issue with it where they dented up the motor cover pretty badly. I contacted the seller, who was upset about it, is sending me another cover for it. So I'm good with that.

 

[T Jones]

Here's a short demo run on my Singer 201-2. This should save my back and eyes from hand sewing brim bindings as opposed to machine sewing. I'm already getting set up for PT and pain management for my back and trying to avoid having surgery right away. This should help a lot as opposed to sitting in a chair and hand sewing for hours and dealing with back pain.
Anyway, here's a short demo run....it's not threaded or anything, btw.

 

[humanshoes]

Here's a short demo run on my Singer 201-2. This should save my back and eyes from hand sewing brim bindings as opposed to machine sewing. I'm already getting set up for PT and pain management for my back and trying to avoid having surgery right away. This should help a lot as opposed to sitting in a chair and hand sewing for hours and dealing with back pain.
Anyway, here's a short demo run....it's not threaded or anything, btw.
She purrs like a kitten Terry. Just in case you don't already have one, here's a copy of the manual.
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-model-201-sewing-machine-manual.pdf

 

[T Jones]

Got it and downloaded! Thanks buddy!

 

[humanshoes]

Got it and downloaded! Thanks buddy!

You're welcome T. Keep it oiled and some day your grandkids will be saying, "What the hell am I going to do with this?"

 

[T Jones]

You're welcome T. Keep it oiled and some day your grandkids will be saying, "What the hell am I going to do with this?"

That's close to what I'm saying now! Except mine is more like, "What the hell did I just do! There goes another hat!"

 

[humanshoes]

I have a nice, modern production set of hat brim curling shackles from JW Hats in Utah. They're good, sturdy tools and more than enough to meet my needs for a lifetime. That being said, I have a deep love and appreciation for the old things and have been searching for the "real deal" for many years with no success. Needless to say, when this little beauty showed up on ebay I couldn't hit the BIN button fast enough.

 

[humanshoes]

Special order for a large, straight-side, brass foot, oak and antler foot tolliker. Also wanted it configured to press against the crown base as well as the brim break. Dude! (says I) Do you want me to put a motor on it, too? Anyway, with a solid 1/4" brass foot plate and weighing in at a hefty 12.8 ounces, this tool should whip that felt into submission in short order.

 

[Mark Priest]

Special order for a large, straight-side, brass foot, oak and antler foot tolliker. Also wanted it configured to press against the crown base as well as the brim break. Dude! (says I) Do you want me to put a motor on it, too? Anyway, with a solid 1/4" brass foot plate and weighing in at a hefty 12.8 ounces, this tool should whip that felt into submission in short order.
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Wow, that is beautiful work!

 

[humanshoes]

Wow, that is beautiful work!

Thanks for saying so Mark. Welcome to the lounge.

 

[ItsJacob]

Hey! Hopefully this belongs here and hopefully someone can help. I've acquired a ASM 1107 and I'm having a heck of a time getting the stitches tight. Ive messed with the thread tensioner and everything. Ive tried just about everything and still no tight stitching!! Ive become frustrated as these things aren't cheap. Ive uploaded a picture of a test sample on a piece of felt. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[ItsJacob]

First sweatband sewn in with the new ASM 1107-1 machine. I had to make adjustments to the factory set up and I will definitely need more practice, but the actual installation, after the sweatband was prepped, took less than a minute. Goodbye hand stitching...forever.
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I just acquired one as well and I'm having a hell of a time getting the inside stitches tight! They're all very loose. Ive messed with the settings and thread tensioner like crazy and nothing seems to work. Did you experience this problem? Any tips? Thanks!

 

[humanshoes]

I just acquired one as well and I'm having a hell of a time getting the inside stitches tight! They're all very loose. Ive messed with the settings and thread tensioner like crazy and nothing seems to work. Did you experience this problem? Any tips? Thanks!

Yes, it took me a while to dial mine in. I'll start by assuming that your machine is properly threaded of course. The standard rule of thumb for chain stitch sewing machines; top (outside hat) stitches loose: too much tension. Bottom (inside hat) stitches loose: too little tension. I found on mine that it required the least amount of tension possible while still keeping the nut on the tension post. Almost no tension at all. Also, I don't know what kind of thread you're using, but mine thrives on the same upholstery thread that I was using for my hand stitching. Good luck to you. Once you get it you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

 

[ItsJacob]

Hey pal! Thanks for the recommendations. They really seemed to make a difference. I changed the thread to a wee thicker gauge, as well as loosened the tensioner all the way and i got tight stitches. Ill still need to practice but its definitely working better now. One more question - Have you used your machine on straw hats and did it work for you? I just tried and the feed dogs don't seem to move it. Thanks again!

 

[humanshoes]

Mine wouldn't feed straw hats as it came from the factory. If you slide off the front sewing arm cover you'll see the screw that holds the feed dog (see picture). Simply loosen that screw, move the feed dog up about 1/16", tighten screw, replace cover, and Bob's your uncle.