Featherweight Fanatics Archives
1999
April
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From: "Wendy Nail"
Subject: Granny's Singer
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 16:34:38 -0700
Hi,
I have and old Singer that was my great-grandmothers. It is a model =
66 built Sep. 20, 1921. It is in sorry shape with rust and chipped =
enamel. I have no idea what it is worth, if it can be restored and =
whether I should attempt this myself. I have caught the quilting bug =
and think it would be fun to restore this machine and use it. Any =
information or suggestions anyone can give me would be appreciated.=20
Thanks, Wendy Nail
=20
From: TeriAnz
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 19:58:13 EDT
Subject: Re: Bill Mitchell and the W&G search
Hello fellow FWFs!
Just returned from visiting San Diego, and wanted to tell you all
about the wonderful visit I had with Bill Mitchell while I was there. What a
charming man! We had a very tasty lunch in a lovely restaurant overlooking
the beautiful coastline, and shared some interesting stories about sewing
machines we have known and loved. We also made a visit to the now infamous
antique dealer, but were unfortunately met by closed shop doors (alas, I was
not fated to become a part of this mysterious undertaking!), so instead Bill
gave me a tour, and pointed out other views of the Pacific that were
absolutely stunning. (If I'm gushing about how unbelievably gorgeous it was,
forgive me, I'm not used to such natural beauty).
Should any of you FWFs be headed to the San Diego area, consider
dropping Bill a note. He is such a gracious, interesting gentleman, and a
wonderful storyteller, that you will be delighted you met him( I know I was!)
Teri Anzalone
( north of NYC )
From: Sharon Reese
Subject: 201 treadle head
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 17:20:49 -0500
I've been dying for a 201 treadle since I heard they existed. I finally
gave up on the estate sale/antique store route after looking for a couple
of years. I bought one from Mike H. of Woodstock Sewing Centre in Canada,
and boy, am I doing the happy dance! I just got it today, and it's better
than I expected! It looks great and turns very smoothly. And it was
packed very well (double boxed). My cat Spot especially appreciates the
larger box and has made it his new napping place. : )
Now to find time to play with it...
Sharon in Taylor, TX
From: "Ted & Jean Hopkins"
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:28:06 +0000
Subject: Singer 640
I need to replace a defunct foot control on a Singer 640 (a Golden Touch n'
Throw). I am told that because of the design of this F.C. there is no
other suitable replacement other than the original part number
619129-001 (number appears on bottom). If anyone has a working foot
control for this machine that they would be willing to sell, please
E-Mail me privately.
Ted Hopkins
Windsor, Ontario
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 13:46:00 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 4/9/1999
To Norma re M series Singers
Easy to confuse the M business. A letter before the serial number indicates
the age of the machine. A letter aftetr the model number indicates the
country of origin.
In fact your machine M163614 was made in Scotland in 1900 - long befor
Singer opened a factory in Monza, Italy.
At that date it's likely to be a 27K ( 14 1/2 inch bed) or 28K (12 1/2 inch)
To Di re EE Centenial
Not sure how to put this but I doubt any EE machine ( produced April 1947
to February 1949) is really a Centenial. From the number I'd guess yours
is likely 1948.
Not trying to disappoint you, of course, but I think you have a
non-Centenial machine to which someone has added a Centenial badge at some
time. I certainly have had many EE and EF machines with the normal badge.
I've always considered Nancy's estimate for the first Centenial badged
machines a little suspect, believing the actual date was later than she
suggests.
I've been offered these badges (perfectly genuine items taken from poor
condition scrapped machines) a couple of times from different US sources.
Again, not wanting to put down your machine - just think we should keep the
records straight.
Yes, any low shank attachments will work on your 66. Can help with the manual.
Graham Forsdyke
ISMACS London
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
From: Doccorwin
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 00:23:15 EDT
Subject: Supermatic bobbin problem
Hello all -
I've got a Supermatic sitting in the shop because the bobbin tension spring
is fatigued (aren't we all?). At least this is what we've figured out - the
machine will not hold a tension. The repair guy has been trying to get a
replacement spring from Elna since about Christmas - the distributor keeps
telling him it's still on backorder. Does anyone have an idea of what to do
or a source for this part? I'd be happy with a bobbin assembly if the spring
is too arcane.
Has anyone else had such a problem? What have you tried? What has worked?
Thanks as always,
June
From: "Mickey Moore"
Subject: web site
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 22:41:36 -0400
please send information on how i can set up a web site to show some of =
my machines, 68cabinet, card tables and other sewing machine =
collectibles. i also do restoration on all makes of machines and =
cabinets. thank you, mickey moore 13 Lackawanna St. bath, n.y. 14810
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 01:21:17 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 4/6/1999b
To Becky re EG machine
Your 221 was made in Scotland. Only the motor was made in Canada and fitted
at the St Johns factory before being sold in the USA. It was made 1950/51
and could be a Centenial.
To Linda re musty smell.
This is unusual in UK machines and I've not had the problem but a product
called One Drop is said to work well.
It's also worth replacing the felt pad under the bottom panel and this can
hold mildew.
A friendly warning.
Been meaning to post this for ages.
I just picked up a batch of 16 Featherweights and stripped out the motors
ready for conversion to 110-volt specification.
What I saw inside made me wonder why we have had no cases of lethal
electrocution from these machines.
Only two would have passed any form of safety check and one was a disaster
waiting to happen. All insulation had melted off the lamp wiring and two of
the three terminal screws had fallen off the plug socket leaving the
connection to spark and arc when the power was switched on.
If you buy from a non specialist source it's gotta be worth a few bucks to
get the wiring checked out. The life you save could be your kitten's.
To Lou re ebay disaster purchase
Although I, and a few others dealers who contribute to this list sell
Featherweights we can understand the attraction of a cheap machine from
ebay.
Buying via an auction service from someone who probably knows nothing about
sewing machines is always going to be a gamble. But why not stack the odds
a little more in your favour?
Only buy from someone who offers a 100 percent, no-questions asked, full
money-back guarantee
And allow when bidding for the lack of any servicing, no guarantee, the
possibility of worn parts, the need for an electrical safety check and the
fact that you won't be able to go back to the seller with any technical
questions.
Restoration of a badly multilated machine by a professional is just not
going to be economic. As you describe the machine, most dealers would
probably break it for spare parts-if any are useful - to enable other
machines to live on.
Cases on white machines are a big problem. The only shipping problem I've
ever had was a white case which developed a crack along the bottom of the
case. Bottom line is that the cases are just plain flimsy and I'm seriously
considering shipping these machines with the machine and boxe in separate
cases.
The case can be restored. Try to find someone local to you to do the job -
I'd take it on but shipping it twice across the Atlantic would cost more
than the work would.
Graham Forsdyke
ISMACS London
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 11:44:39 -0500
From: GrandMel
Subject: Re: FW Forsale wo 4/11/1999
I have the following available for trade/sale: I am very hesitant to
ship so if you were in driving distance to CT it would be better!
I have a 401a with manual and attachments in a plastic case that is not
original. I would like to trade this for a comparable Rocketeer or 301
longbed table. Short of that I am asking $125 plus shipping.
Mel
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 12:26:44 +0100
From: graham forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 4/8/1999
To Susan re non-working FW
Check the connections inside the foot controller. Half the ones I check are
loose.
Graham Forsdyke
ISMACS London
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.viznoise.net
http://www.sew-sales.com
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