Thanks for this. I work as an industrial sewing machinist which has taken away a lot of the enjoyment that I used to get from sewing. After watching this, I've refurbished my Great Grandmother's 1918 99K that was just gathering dust as an ornament & I'm starting to love my personal sewing projects again. There's just something different to using an old handcrank that you don't get in a modern or industrial machine & like you said, you can sew anywhere as you're not reliant on a power source...
I bought a Jones Family CS from 1895 when I was at university in 2006. It cost £20 from a second hand shop. I absolutely LOVE it. It taught me to sew - as you say, they're so simple - and it's so easy to maintain. And so far, various relatives have gifted me packs of original needles so I haven't even had to buy those! It'll sew through just about anything - I think the record is 7 layers of denim! - and my kids are now learning to use it. It's great for them because they can take it as slowly as they like. Thanks for the video :)
You've convinced me!! Thank you SO MUCH for this information. I've been searching for answers to questions and could find them. You've answered them all! I appreciate this video so much!
I’ve owned an old Pfaff 130 for 30 years. For the first 10 years, I used it almost exclusively aboard my old sailboat. I oiled it once before storing it away in its ugly, aftermarket case. Twenty years later, I’ve dragged it out of mothballs, a rusty, seized-up mess. Dejected, I immediately stoked my addictive nature, purchasing (3) beautiful Pfaff 130s, a Pfaff 230, and because a seller insisted, a White Rotary treadle. I already have a Sailrite. Haha. Addiction. The old 130 is now the smoothest of the bunch, and while I’ll eventually strip and repaint it, I’ve decided first to turn it into a dedicated hand crank for shipboard use - dacron sails and sunbrella detail work. I’ve got plenty more for fixed with servo motors, portables, etc. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you completely, though I’ve added a small, USB-rechargeable powerbank and a USB stalk-light to see my work wherever I am, day or night.
I'm very left handed and always thought that sewing machines were made to my advantage. Cranking it takes far less coordination than manipulating the fabric does. I like that the fabric is on my left hand side. It all just feels natural to me.
Thank you! Wish I had your left handedness sometimes! lol There are times manipulating the fabric as a right hander cranking with my right hand, my left could use some help.
I have four machines with motor, I always tend to go back to my 201 Singer aluminium to which I have mounted a hand crank, because it is just so quiet and smooth! And the stitch is perfect! I paid £20 and am thinking of buying a zig zag attachment for it that will cost me more than the machine but it’s really the only thing that I am missing!
I'm left handed (and dyspraxic/have developmental coordination disorder). Thankfully, I actually prefer guiding the fabric with my left - I personally find that more challenging/mentally taxing than turning the wheel, so I gladly use my right for that (I guess it's the same with playing guitar - ironically a lot of guitar teachers encourage left handers to use 'right' handed guitars because fretting is actually more mentally taxing than picking and strumming - at least for a lot of people, myself included). I guess some people are different, maybe some right handers are happy machines are made this way because they think it's harder to turn the wheel. I'm the opposite
Thank you so much fro the brilliant information. I have an old Singer also. Is it possible to get a owners manuals (or the likes) on the different singer models, about what they were capable of doing. For instance, can they sew light leather or heavy canvass, and would i need special needles.? Thanks again.
Hi- Thanks. Yes, you can get either original or reproduction manuals for most of the old Singers. They are usually for sale on Ebay (originals), and most times, depending on the year, are small, narrow green books for each model. The machines from the 60s and 70s have more mod looking original manuals. It's best to start searching there by searching for your machine model and manual. Ebay is a great source of information, even if you never buy anything. You can also download a copy from Singer at this website: www.singer.com/support Many of them can sew leather (Singer 15-91) or canvas (even a Singer 99). Another example is the 500A which has cam accessories and is excellent for design and embroidery. UA-cam also has many videos- it depends on your interest. If you search for say Singer, leather, vintage, you will get some videos to show up. But beware of people calling any home machine "Industrial Strength" - Industrial machines run all day, and home machines are meant for home use.
It is up to uou and how you want to use it. Handcrank 99s are harder to find and an original Singer handcrank is very hard to find. If you put a motor on it I would not get rid of the handcrank in case you want it to be original later.
Soon I get to take delivery of a 201 from approx 1948 that is a hand crank with a spoked wheel. It doesn't look (from the pictures I saw on the online auction) as if it has ever been electric. It is mounted in a table but it doesn't look like that ever had a treadle (further evidence it was a hand crank from the start). From what you are saying if I want to use it as a treadle sometimes will it be as simple as removing the hand crank, installing it in the "bed" of a treadle table and attaching the belt? I've been looking for a youtube video that shows someone converting from hand crank to treadle, or the other way around, and it is really hard to find anything. Any advice from anyone gratefully received. :-D
Yes, it's that simple - The 201 will fit in any Singer treadle for a full-size machine (and not a 3/4 size machine treadle). You can even leave the handcrank on - the belt for the treadle will go in the belt groove of the handwheel. Some people leave the handcranks on, some take them off when treadling, it's a personal choice as to the noise of the handcrank going around, and whether or not you will jump to the machine for a quick mending with the handcrank or always use the treadle. When you take the 201 out of the table it's in/on now, you should be tilting it back, and underneath at the back, just in front of the hinges are two set screws that you loosen to pull the machine off the hinges. Then you put the machine on the hinges in the treadle and tighten the set screws. This video might give you an idea - ua-cam.com/video/ccZiW_-3ZmI/v-deo.html
@@LaurieOMeara Thank you so much! That sounds like the best of both worlds to me - and lovely to know it's so simple. Good to have the tips on how to do it too - just what I was looking for. :-D
I don't know if you have already figured out how to convert from hand crank to treadle, but if you go to the link below at www.treadleon.net, it has good written instructions along with a few pictures. www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/converting/converting.html My sister shipped me a hand crank 15-88/89 in pieces (for easier shipping), so I had to reassemble it, and it was very easy.
Can you describe the noise or where it seems to be coming from? If it sounds like a freight train, it might be the gears need to be oiled. If it makes a clunk, something inside might be broken or misadjusted-
@@cleversakkie1766 I re-uploaded a video of my 15-88 when it first arrived - very noisy ua-cam.com/video/Lkbbw6ecOP4/v-deo.html and here's a second video after oiling ua-cam.com/video/BzzPRlR-__8/v-deo.html
Thanks for this.
I work as an industrial sewing machinist which has taken away a lot of the enjoyment that I used to get from sewing. After watching this, I've refurbished my Great Grandmother's 1918 99K that was just gathering dust as an ornament & I'm starting to love my personal sewing projects again.
There's just something different to using an old handcrank that you don't get in a modern or industrial machine & like you said, you can sew anywhere as you're not reliant on a power source...
Yes, a handcrank would be just what I needed if I had your job and wanted to sew after work. I'm glad if the video helped.
I bought a Jones Family CS from 1895 when I was at university in 2006. It cost £20 from a second hand shop. I absolutely LOVE it. It taught me to sew - as you say, they're so simple - and it's so easy to maintain. And so far, various relatives have gifted me packs of original needles so I haven't even had to buy those! It'll sew through just about anything - I think the record is 7 layers of denim! - and my kids are now learning to use it. It's great for them because they can take it as slowly as they like.
Thanks for the video :)
Thank you for the comment. I have never owned a Jones, but I have seen them. They seem to be wonderful machines.
This helps me with confidence in investing in one of these. I've wanted one for years!! Thank you!
You will find, I think, that you love using one.
Thank you ! For all your reasons - planet - recycling - exercise and skill - you help solidify my decision on a vintage hand cranked singer
You've convinced me!! Thank you SO MUCH for this information. I've been searching for answers to questions and could find them. You've answered them all! I appreciate this video so much!
Where would I go about buying a hand crank unit? I'm new to this terminology, so I want to make sure to be able to find it!
I just bought a Singer 99 hand crank from 1940!! So excited to get it and use it! All the reasons you listed are why I got it😉
I’ve owned an old Pfaff 130 for 30 years. For the first 10 years, I used it almost exclusively aboard my old sailboat. I oiled it once before storing it away in its ugly, aftermarket case. Twenty years later, I’ve dragged it out of mothballs, a rusty, seized-up mess. Dejected, I immediately stoked my addictive nature, purchasing (3) beautiful Pfaff 130s, a Pfaff 230, and because a seller insisted, a White Rotary treadle. I already have a Sailrite. Haha. Addiction.
The old 130 is now the smoothest of the bunch, and while I’ll eventually strip and repaint it, I’ve decided first to turn it into a dedicated hand crank for shipboard use - dacron sails and sunbrella detail work. I’ve got plenty more for fixed with servo motors, portables, etc.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you completely, though I’ve added a small, USB-rechargeable powerbank and a USB stalk-light to see my work wherever I am, day or night.
Thanks very much for sharing your story. !
Great job explaining and detailing!!
Thank you
You have done an excellent job with that mobile. 🙂👍
I'm very left handed and always thought that sewing machines were made to my advantage. Cranking it takes far less coordination than manipulating the fabric does. I like that the fabric is on my left hand side. It all just feels natural to me.
Thank you! Wish I had your left handedness sometimes! lol There are times manipulating the fabric as a right hander cranking with my right hand, my left could use some help.
I have four machines with motor, I always tend to go back to my 201 Singer aluminium to which I have mounted a hand crank, because it is just so quiet and smooth! And the stitch is perfect! I paid £20 and am thinking of buying a zig zag attachment for it that will cost me more than the machine but it’s really the only thing that I am missing!
It sounds wonderful- the quietness of handcranks is one of the things I like best about them. You are lucky to have a 201- beautiful machines.
@@LaurieOMeara Absolutely and thank you for actually showing people how worth keeping these machines are!
I'm left handed (and dyspraxic/have developmental coordination disorder). Thankfully, I actually prefer guiding the fabric with my left - I personally find that more challenging/mentally taxing than turning the wheel, so I gladly use my right for that (I guess it's the same with playing guitar - ironically a lot of guitar teachers encourage left handers to use 'right' handed guitars because fretting is actually more mentally taxing than picking and strumming - at least for a lot of people, myself included). I guess some people are different, maybe some right handers are happy machines are made this way because they think it's harder to turn the wheel. I'm the opposite
Thank you for the comment and that perspective!
I have one at school, and the noises it makes are "CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA PING CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA"
Thank you so much fro the brilliant information. I have an old Singer also. Is it possible to get a owners manuals (or the likes) on the different singer models, about what they were capable of doing. For instance, can they sew light leather or heavy canvass, and would i need special needles.?
Thanks again.
Hi- Thanks. Yes, you can get either original or reproduction manuals for most of the old Singers. They are usually for sale on Ebay (originals), and most times, depending on the year, are small, narrow green books for each model. The machines from the 60s and 70s have more mod looking original manuals. It's best to start searching there by searching for your machine model and manual. Ebay is a great source of information, even if you never buy anything. You can also download a copy from Singer at this website: www.singer.com/support
Many of them can sew leather (Singer 15-91) or canvas (even a Singer 99). Another example is the 500A which has cam accessories and is excellent for design and embroidery. UA-cam also has many videos- it depends on your interest. If you search for say Singer, leather, vintage, you will get some videos to show up. But beware of people calling any home machine "Industrial Strength" - Industrial machines run all day, and home machines are meant for home use.
Hi,
I have a 99k . So is better to leave like original than adding a ft peddle, and motor? The one I have is smaller than the 66.
It is up to uou and how you want to use it. Handcrank 99s are harder to find and an original Singer handcrank is very hard to find. If you put a motor on it I would not get rid of the handcrank in case you want it to be original later.
Soon I get to take delivery of a 201 from approx 1948 that is a hand crank with a spoked wheel. It doesn't look (from the pictures I saw on the online auction) as if it has ever been electric. It is mounted in a table but it doesn't look like that ever had a treadle (further evidence it was a hand crank from the start). From what you are saying if I want to use it as a treadle sometimes will it be as simple as removing the hand crank, installing it in the "bed" of a treadle table and attaching the belt? I've been looking for a youtube video that shows someone converting from hand crank to treadle, or the other way around, and it is really hard to find anything. Any advice from anyone gratefully received. :-D
Yes, it's that simple - The 201 will fit in any Singer treadle for a full-size machine (and not a 3/4 size machine treadle). You can even leave the handcrank on - the belt for the treadle will go in the belt groove of the handwheel. Some people leave the handcranks on, some take them off when treadling, it's a personal choice as to the noise of the handcrank going around, and whether or not you will jump to the machine for a quick mending with the handcrank or always use the treadle. When you take the 201 out of the table it's in/on now, you should be tilting it back, and underneath at the back, just in front of the hinges are two set screws that you loosen to pull the machine off the hinges. Then you put the machine on the hinges in the treadle and tighten the set screws. This video might give you an idea - ua-cam.com/video/ccZiW_-3ZmI/v-deo.html
@@LaurieOMeara Thank you so much! That sounds like the best of both worlds to me - and lovely to know it's so simple. Good to have the tips on how to do it too - just what I was looking for. :-D
I don't know if you have already figured out how to convert from hand crank to treadle, but if you go to the link below at www.treadleon.net, it has good written instructions along with a few pictures. www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/converting/converting.html My sister shipped me a hand crank 15-88/89 in pieces (for easier shipping), so I had to reassemble it, and it was very easy.
What can I do if my machine is making a lot of noise
Can you describe the noise or where it seems to be coming from? If it sounds like a freight train, it might be the gears need to be oiled. If it makes a clunk, something inside might be broken or misadjusted-
Yes the sound is like a freight train ....so I'm sure I need to oil the gears like what you said ....Thnk You so much ...i appreciate ✌
@@cleversakkie1766 I re-uploaded a video of my 15-88 when it first arrived - very noisy ua-cam.com/video/Lkbbw6ecOP4/v-deo.html and here's a second video after oiling ua-cam.com/video/BzzPRlR-__8/v-deo.html
You talk alot get on with it already smh