Constabulary

For those who care - here are some more pictures of this machine: http://olx.ro/oferta/masina-cusut-cizmarie-ID4LWiy.html I would not pay 250€ w/o knowing it is functional. Personally and without knowing what going on with this machine I´d not pay more than 100€ but only when I have some extra play money and just for the fun to find out whats up with this machine.The mechanical system it self on this machine will most likely never brake but you never know for sure. But IF something brakes (especially the shuttle hook) the machine is dead because of the spare parts situation. Are you able to post some pictures of the shuttle hook?

Hard to tell when it has no plaque or decal. Robert Kiehle (ROKILEI) could be but also could be a Kochs / Adler, Atlas, Drossner, Mansfeld. You sometimes find similar looking machines with just a different name on it. Well, it´s worth what people are willing to pay but don´t expect big $$$. Value is higher when full functional and comes with some extra accessories and you will get even more when it comes with the original manual. Some old school leather workers may be interested or cast iron idiots like me. But when is is not working it more or less has just decorative value. There are always some nuts people out there who think the older a machine is the more value it has. Thats why you often find 100 years old machines for 700€ or so on Ebay. But watch them - they most likely will never sell. If parts are no longer available you can use the machine until something brakes and then you can keep it as boat anchor or decorative piece or you find someone who has a similar machine and he buys it for spare parts but you probably have to store if for decades until a 2nd machine shows up - somewhere. Most sewing machine collectors are just collecting domestic machine heads w/o table because most have space problems storing dozens of big industrial machines incl. the table (thats probably why you get some good $$ for the small Singer Featherweight). Well, except you live in Australia and your LW Member name is Singermania then you probably have enough space!!!

Tell your wife that you never can have enough cast iron. This must be a very very early compound feed Machine. The feed dog looks like one from a needle feed machine. Looking for ward to seeing some more pictures.

You sometimes have to be patient - you get all the information here for free and when nobody is online who could help you have to wait another day or two or three. Thats how "crowd service" works. If you don´t like it and you are inpatient take the machine to the next dealer buy a hook from him and let him repair your machine and pay $$$. Uploading pictures is always a good advise because sometimes people who even don´t own a certain machine can help you by just looking at your pictures and then tell you what to do. Don´t let other people do your part. The 206 is a vertical hook machine so usually the hook assy is mounted on the shaft with 2 or 3 set screws. Remove needle plate, feed dog and the hook holding finger / position finger, then you have to lift (or remove) the arm the feed dog is mounted on (usually 1 screw you have to loosen on the right side of the arm when looking at the hook), loosen the hook set screws and pull the hook. Install the new hook, install the finger, install feed dog an needle plate, reposition the feed dog arm and time the machine if necessary. Not sure if the machine has a bobbin case opener but you probably have to remove it as well and adjust it when you reinstall it. Thats at least what I would. I guess you already have a parts list and a manual for your machine, right?

AFAIK the "U" prefix is for made in Japan machines. It is a light duty machine with extremely small bobbins. Hooks, bobbins and some spare parts are still available. Nothing for heavy leather work. Really a light duty machine. If serviced well they will last for many decades. I once owned a Class 17 from the early 1900´s - worked quite well but the tiny bobbins were an issue.

Thats one reason why I love these vintage Singers so much - I still can get parts for machines which are older than my mother. Try that with Pfaff or Adler...

I just have ripped apart a Singer 16 drop feed for spare parts (checking if the needle bar works for my dropped 34K) so if you need some extra bits send me a note. I don´t want much for the parts I don´t need. I have a complete shuttle race and all kind of screws, feed dog, needle plate... Just wanted to let you know.

Dürkopp 252 I´d say I once owned one but Pfaff made them too but don´t know the model. These are high speed zig zag machines with a larger hook. Feet and hooks / bobbins from the Singer 107 will work for this machine.

The bobbin in the picture looks like a pre wound bobbin which you throw away when empty. My experience is that any bobbin will work as long as they fit in the bobbin case and are not tight. If they are a bit small they may cause some clicking I think thats the backslash Bob mentioned. But they work. I have seen machines with 3 or 4 slightly different bobbins and they all worked. Keep in mind you that may have some tolerances between different manufacturers. Also make sure the thread is coming off the bobbin correctly - usually from the left. Anyway - usually for hooks with a "cap" the bobbins 233939 are correct. The flat bobbins are for the hooks with the small lever across the basket.

How much are arms and legs? New or used arms & legs? if used maybe a Singer 111w155 or similar.

I have a set of 4 screws from a 29K73 but I think the long arm patchers are using the same screws, the short ram patchers ahd screws with smaller diameter afaik. I´ll send you a PM.

I may have some but have to check first - I´ll keep you updated...

Have you cleaned and oiled the machine? Maybe the hook is gummed or the hook gears or the needle bar or the presser foot bars... - maybe some old thread or dirt under the hook or bobbin case. Post some good clear and detailed pictures of your machine with removed face plate and from the underside - maybe someone will notice something.

I have heard the Chinese tread their thread with "certain" substances but could be the oil as well....

Agree - you never have enough sewing machines . Sooner or later you start thinking "oh -I could use that one too..." though you don´t need right now but it´s nice to have when the demand tuns up. I once thought I just need one machine and I now have 6 machines and I still have some in my mind that I (sooner or later) could use. Sound stupid but thats how goes. Sooner or later you will regret that you have sold a certain machine.

maybe the end screw on the hand wheel it too tight - they are not meant to be tightened up they are rot adjusting the hand wheel on the shaft. The 2 set screws are for tightening the hand wheel.

maybe the V-belt is tooooo tight.

There are buttonhole attachments for straight stitch machines out there maybe thats something you could try. http://www.ebay.com/itm/INDUSTRIAL-SEWING-MACHINE-BUTTONHOLE-ATTACHMENT-/160701165759

I´m not sure if the adjuster can be retrofitted. I doubt it. I´d rather buy a Pfaff 38 or Pfaff 138 or an other zig zag machine with adjuster. As Ralf said, you can find them dirt cheap on Ebay sometimes. Retrofitting the adjuster will probably end in dissembling main components of the machine. I personally would not try that for just adding an adjuster which will probably cost more than another machine.

Hi Alex - nice to "read" you again hope all is well on your end. I was actually thinking of an vintage mangle but I`m not sure if that will work. You need a certain amount of pressure and an adjustable hight and I´m not sure if it will work with a mangle. There are many of them out there but most need a lot of space. And spending 100€ or more to find out that will not work is not what I want but I have not dropped the idea. Still looking for ideas. I also have contacted the German importer for the Paperfox press but have not heard from him. The MfG'er in Hungary seems to sell them for 480€ but they do not take Papyal and I don´t want to loose my money in that part of the world (you never know). I meanwhile have bought a small pneumatic clicker press but I have to enlarge the stamp and stamping table and yet I don´t have an air compressor .However I really like the idea of the papeprfox rotary press. Looks like a very effective system and it does not need much space.

Is soemone using a cutting machine like this? Seems to be an interesting machine. http://www.paperfox.eu/paperfox-h-500a-rotary-die-cutting-machine.html

Wiz - yes, I´m actually one of the idjits thinking "I wish I had that machine!" I have no use for it but I love these heavy cha-ching machines but I guess it does not fit in flat rate envelope so it has to stay where it is. Are you sure it is in working condition? Sometimes people think when the wheel is spinning and some parts are moving up and down it is in working condition. Working condition means that this machine can actually sew. Have you tried it? Look for Goodyear, Landis, Champion, McKay or maybe USM or Rapid sole or outsole stitchers I´m sure sooner or later you´ll find your machine at one of the shoe machine dealers. Maybe Shoe Machines UK or Pilgrim Shoe & Sewing Machine Co is a good source for you.

wondering why the Chinese do not copy the Luberto machines. It´s as cool as the BUSMC #6 but with the advantage of a shuttle hook. Especially the adjustable needle assy and foot are nice features.

Once again a nice piece!!! When you get rid of the upper feed you almost have a modern Luberto Classic

Thank you very much Greenwood Snap in table sounds interesting I´d like to see some pictures of your updates and the whole machine. When you click on the brown button "MORE REPLY OPTIONS" next to the black POST button you can upload some pictures.