amuckart

Hi all, machinery question from someone new to the board. I've read pretty much the whole archive of this board over the last couple of days and I'm looking at possibly buying a heavy-duty machine. The things I've got options on at the moment are a Singer 7-9 that goes, a 7-5 that needs some work and perhaps a Pearson No.6. I think the Singers are very overpriced at NZ$2k for the 7-9 and NZ$1800 for the 7-5. I think that's way too much given that they are in far from mint condition and don't have their original stands and the 7-5 needs parts replacing before it'll sew, but I'm willing to be corrected. The Pearson is in "been in a shed for the last 10 years" condition; rusted all over to a greater or lesser extent, and there's not much of its original paint left. It needs stripping and repainting at the very least, and may need parts. I can do that, provided I don't have to spend a fortune on parts. Obviously the Pearson is worth more than the Singers, but that's ok. I can stretch to it, but don't have the money for a new machine like a 441 clone and I've never seen a used one for sale here. Ignoring the relative aesthetic merits of the machines and the fact that the Singers need motors, are they even comparable in terms of what they will do or are they suited to totally different sorts of work? If they'll do the same sort of work, can the Singer machines produce the sort of stitch quality the Pearson seems to be known for? Are parts for the Singers available any more? Any other useful information on them would be much appreciated. Neither comes with manuals but I can find manuals for whichever one I might end up with. Many thanks.

Hi all, I'm hoping someone on the forum can help me. I've bought an A1 online and I need to pick it up but it's a 3 hour drive away so if I can't fit it in my car first time around it gets pretty annoying. What I need to figure out is what I'm going to need to get the head off the table (aside from a vat of WD-40 ) and whether the table itself can be reduced to small enough parts to get in the back of my small station wagon or if I need to borrow a mate's ute. The person I bought it off can't take more pictures because they've stuffed their camera. Thanks in advance.

Here's an upper-thread threading digram from the Pedersen #308 (which was a J&R clone) manual: Note the thread going through the wax pot. These machines are designed to use liquid stitching wax on the upper thread and pitched thread on the spool. If you use modern nylon thread in them you'll cut grooves in the thread path and the tension springs, which will eventually ruin the machine. You could probably use prewaxed cotton or linen in them Ok, but I haven't yet gotten thread samples of good thread for mine. Here's the bobbin threading instructions: I hope that helps.

These are fantastic little machines, but infuriatingly difficult to find needles for any more. Pedersen made a clone, the Model #308 which is part-for-part compatible, but the last manufacturer of needles Groz Beckert in Germany no longer makes them and the only size they have in stock are the gigantic #8's. Parts can still be had, if you've got enough money. I'm waiting on a quote to get some manufactured. I've just finished restoring one from "been in a shed for 20 years" back to working condition, but I haven't yet got needles for it. If I can get a supply of needles then I'll go whole hog and get the plating restored as well and find replacement bobbin winder etc. Here's my one: As I got it: After first strip and degrease/clean After stripping the rust and properly cleaning it: