mmike956

Picked up a Union Special 61300C on a chopping block table this weekend at a sale here in Georgia. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them made. The machine turns over well and the old clutch motor purrs. It's missing the bobbin and case plus the slide access plate for the bobbin. Thread stand and machine rest dowel too are gone. Nice table top and cast iron treadle. Don't know whether to move it as is or part it out. I'm open to advice.

Recently there were 2 SLF2s on ebay. They were pricey then I found another one there missing it's base but I bought it anyway for $70. They are nice units. I wish there were more of them available.

You were right! I had it backwards. Now I switched from the 50 year old Nomex T70 to 92 bonded nylon for the first time. That nylon is hard to keep on the bobbin! Top thread tension seems sensitive too. I have a few cones of the old Nomex left and I like it but when that's gone bonded nylon or polyester is all there is I guess. With nylon so springy, how well does it lock at the end of the stitch? None of my machines have a reverse feature so I either rotate the work or slacken the thread and back the work up beneath the presser foot and make about two steps with the needle.. On the 29K the foot can be rotated for a lock.

The bell crank lever had a screw missing and I replaced it along with the roller. Now I get 9 stitches per inch but the walking foot rubs the needle bar!

After some limited experience with my 29 I've come to the reluctant conclusion that modern equals will serve you better. The stitch length on the older machines and maybe on all of them leave something to be desired. I like mine but if I had if to do over again.....I wouldn't have bought it. I would've picked up a modern cowboy or something similar. My 31-15 and 153W102 can do anything I would've really needed. I enjoy the mechanical nature of these machines than I do their actual utility. So, I would be a fixer rather than a sewing person. I had the 29 confused with a larger model I saw in the shoe shops as a kid probably a Singer model 7 maybe? My nomenclature may be off a bit there. Anyway..,here we are.

Problem solved....not with thread guide but hook to needle spacing! Hasn't missed a stitch since closing the gap ever so slightly. Maybe now I'll learn to make something with the machines instead of practicing stitches!

Many thanks! The 29K looks more robust than it really is. But it's still a wonderful machine to have. It'll reach some tight spots. I've ordered a cam roller to hopefully get the slop out of the walking foot. Stitch length is a little short to suit me. The current roller has a flat spot on it.

Can this machine work well with 92 bonded nylon, top and bobbin too?

Earlier in this topic I was having trouble with my 153W102 missing stitches on certain materials. Well....It still is but I think I have found the problem. The thread guide at the bottom of the needle bar is missing. I've ordered one and a screw. We'll see how it works in a few days. This machine wasn't powered until the other day. I installed a new servo motor finally. I had been hand turning the machine while waiting on my set up to be complete. I hope this solves the problem.

Many thanks for clearing that up for me!

Can any of you identify this part? It was in with some sewing stand parts a friend sent me.

A robust table it is! I'll post the progress as it takes place. Many thanks!

Realistically I could probably recover the monetary cost of the machines I have but that's not the focus. We can't put a price on our effort to restore them to a fine tuned working order. That value can be found only in the enjoyment the hobby brings us. I actually have room for one of those tables mentioned here. That may well be the next project! A 5X10 cutting table. Do you have any dimensions or specifics that need to be adhered to? Plywood or lumber for the top? I'll use steel tubing for the frame as with the sewing stands. I'm ready to get started! There's one at the local fabric store here that has a scissor track in it. Maybe that isn't necessary. What do ya think?

There's certainly plenty of room! I don't think I could justify any more machines...unless I could scare up a cheap post bed model. Now all I need is to learn how to use them effectively. I don't think there's any way to prosper by finding, repairing, and trying to resell these old machines. One must enjoy them as a beholder and don't expect to get anything more.....the profit won't be there. The real value is seeing one more old machine diverted from the scrap yard and into the hands of those who appreciate them. I wouldn't be able to break even on the resale of any machine I have.

Not much progress on the room itself, the carpet still needs to go but by the time I retire I'll have it like I want it. I have an out building but it isn't convenient. I want a work shop in the comfort of the house. There's plenty of room upstairs here and it's just me and my daughter who occupy a 2700 square foot house with half that area upstairs, it is a gold mine of space. I'm in the gathering phase of it all now. I don't even know what I really want to sew! I treasure the machines and I have enough of a variety of types to do most anything. I'll probably be going to the speed reducers to slow the pace down a bit. The good ones sure are expensive! Here is the latest progress on the set up. I'll be glad to see some oak flooring exposed in the future. A lot of work yet to do.