Constabulary

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.

I´m not 100% certain but maybe the lifting arm for the Consew´s may work. They at least work on the Singer 111 - not sure which I have ordered but I would guess that both would work. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONSEW-227-CYL-W-F-FOOT-LIFT-LIFTING-LEVER-13056A-/120926496799?hash=item1c27c7e81f:g:UF0AAOSwDNdV4LB4 http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONSEW-206RB-KNEE-LIFTER-LIFTING-LEVER-/290723356033?hash=item43b0765d81:m:mldhAL6SVn-OpwftFqtQ6uA

Thats part of the game but his machines does not look as if it had been oiled recently. Yet I had no problems with this method. I don´t think the amount of hydrogen coming from the bath is critical. But as always it depends on the concentration and a good ventilation (opening the door from time to time) can´t be wrong even when you work with kerosene and stuff like that. However - Many ways lead to Rome...

if you really (really really really) want to restore it I´d set up a big electrolysis bath tank and let it "cook" for a few days. Meanwhile this is my preferred method for removing rust and paint from old machines and parts with "not so nice" exterior. I have a squared 65 liter tub that works for machines up to a size of a 29K long arm or Adler 30-1. Therese are dozens of videos on youtube and information on Google so I don´t have to tell the story by my self.

Holy lord - wost machine I ever have seen - good luck with it - you may need 200€ - 300€ or more to restore it - if it is possible at all. A LOT of missing AND broken parts and rust has already eaten the metal. I would not touch it - its Junk. My opinion.

Kayser is an old German brand and AFAIK some of the Kayser machines are clones of Singer machines, maybe some even came from the Singer factory in Wittenberge, Prusia and have been relabeled. So I would guess Singer 18 is the exact same machine but I´m not 100% sure. We had too many different makers in Germany. Some pictures of your machine would be nice.