Tag: model 27

Mystery hook

On By CarynIn Life Hack, repair, Tools

In one of the drawers of the Singer model 66 cabinet, there was a metal wire hook. Very strange.

Photo description: Inside of a wood drawer from a Singer treadle cabinet, with a wire hook attached to the screw for the wood knob.

I asked on a couple FaceBook groups what the purpose of this hook was, and had many guesses, but no firm knowledge. I also signed up for the email list for TreadleOn.net, which talks exclusively about people powered sewing machines. It took a few days, but then a couple people chimed in with their informed guesses. From what I can piece together, this was intended to hold bobbins, and was an original Singer part 56267, as pictured in an illustrated plate (shown below) from MillardSewing.com.

Photo description: Illustrated plate of Singer sewing machine parts.

From what we could gather, this part was only produced for a short time. Users found it annoying and often removed it. Many people answered my question with better solutions for bobbin storage.

My hypothesis, as a long time crafter and person who sews, is that the hook was intended for bobbins, but not for storage. It is mentioned in the Singer manuals, frequently and with urgency, that bobbins should not be wound with additional thread. The old thread should be removed before winding on a new color. I have personally seen evidence that the sewing machine users blithely ignored this advice, because ALL (yes, all) of the bobbins from my model 27 and model 66 had multiple colors of thread. I believe the Singer engineers fashioned this hook to make unwinding the bobbin easier. I tested with this in mind, and it works beautifully for that purpose. A single bobbin can be threaded on to the hook, it holds the bobbin securely while letting it spin, and while unwinding the thread, the bobbin does not jump across the room and hide under the dresser, as happens every time I have unwound a bobbin previously. Maybe users found the need to not waste thread more urgent than the smooth operation of the machine. I don’t know. The modern solution is to have a plethora of bobbins, minimizing the need to unwind. I will be keeping the wire as is, and will use it for unwinding. I do appreciate good engineering.

Sewing machine update

On By CarynIn Craft

I continue to periodically spray PB Blaster on the 1907 Singer 27 sewing machine I want to rebuild. I recently had a major breakthrough and was able to remove the rod for the pressure foot and the needle bar! These rods, on a clean machine, just slide out. I needed to pick away the crust around the holders, rotate them, pick away more build-up, then I was able to get them to slide upward! Very exciting day.

Photo description: Pressure foot rod covered with dried oil, the Singer 27 in the background.

I have one more internal part with a rusted screw that I want to free up so I can clean it. The main drive through the machine looks OK, so I don’t plan on removing that. Then all the parts that have been soaking in PB Blaster get cleaned. I have decided that the decals are too far gone, and it would be better to not have flaking paint, so I need to decide how to proceed with refinishing the body of the machine as well.

Restoration update

On By CarynIn Craft

I’m still regularly oiling the Singer 27 treadle machine and attempting to remove more parts for cleaning. My husband has been helping, and he was able to free several bolts! I did take a tool to a thumb screw for the back plate; I figured if it was going to break, better that I’m the one that breaks it. I wrapped the knob in leather, then used an adjustable wrench, and slowly turned the screw. Success!

Photo description: Large adjustable wrench on the bottom, next to a very rusty back plate, next to a small knurled knob that held the plate in place on the machine, and at the top, a 1/2” strip of tooling leather

I photograph all the removed parts and put them in a labeled ziplock bag with a spray of PB blaster. When I get all the parts free, I’ll clean everything before putting it back together (fingers crossed).

Cleaning

On By CarynIn Craft, repair, Tools

I’m still picking away at the model 27 sewing machine, removing small bits of dried on oil and dirt.

Photo description: Singer Manufacturing Company trademark in bronze, covered with a thick patina of oil
Photo description: Same seal after cleaning with a bamboo stick and sewing machine oil, with only a slight patina left in the crevices. Photo also shows a shiny stitch regulator knob.

My friends and family are probably getting tired of hearing a “scritch, scritch” noise when I’m on the phone. But it helps me focus. I’m not cleaning all the patina off; getting it back on in artful amounts can take years. I did figure out that I can clean the parts that are stuck in place, and continue to soak them in oil until the threads release. A thin strip of nylon netting is great for getting into the screw threads.

Photo description: Top of the machine, one hand is holding a dirty length of nylon netting along the threads of the pressure foot tension knob.

I’m not sure what I am going to do about the gold decals. They are quite delicate and are already flaked off to the silver base, or rubbed off entirely in areas. I do feel I need to remove all the loose paint, because I don’t want it flaking off onto my fabric. Experiments continue.

Sewing machine update

On By CarynIn Craft, Life Hack, Tools

It is hard to be patient. I have read over and over on posted threads and in books to soak old seized machine parts in oil, let it sit, and eventually the part will unscrew. I have been doing that with sewing machine oil and PB Blaster, and each time I sit down with the machine something new comes loose, one or two on a lucky day. Don’t ever wish for patience.

I did discover that the balance wheel I was trying to unscrew was actually friction fit. Huh. Bob Fower has a video on taking apart a 127 Singer sewing machine where he uses a harmonic puller to remove the wheel. I picked one up at an auto store, but I didn’t notice that the kind I grabbed needed screw sockets on the wheel to be removed. Blast. So I jury rigged it by looping heavy duty cable ties to the holes of the puller. It worked. (Cable ties outrank duct tape in my book.)

Photo description: Side view of a model 27 Singer sewing machine with large black cable ties holding a piece of metal with four holes to the balance wheel. A long screw sticks out of the center of the piece of metal.

As I wait for the oil to do its magic. I’ve been picking off layers of ancient (literally) dried oil from the parts I can reach. Bamboo sticks are awesome for this. I did a short on YouTube showing what I’m doing. Pack your patience and enjoy 58 seconds of Vocal Spectrum’s “Go the Distance”. Oh the harmony!