ensitmike

Interesting. I don’t think I have a use for something like that so I might let someone else enjoy it. cool machine though. I love the old union specials. thanks @Silky

Does anyone know what model this machine is and what it’s used for. Also about how much it’s worth? My buddy found it at his grandfathers place and said I have first choice if I want it.

Hey lee. Great find and fun project. I am a huge advocate of saving as much of the patina as possible. I would thoroughly clean the top, then hit it with a light sanding, and finally a topcoat of your choice. Taking it down to clean wood is nice for some but I think the age and story is what makes these machines so cool. As for the splitting wood (hard to see in photos) that kind of thing drives me crazy. Personally I would get one of my industrial syringes and inject some Titebond and clamp it. I've seen guys use CA as well. The important part is definitely the clamping. Do all this before the sanding and top coat of course.

Wow @jimi very cool! Going to finish watching it now.

I was inspired by some of the photos (like the one below) in the "One off table for the Singer Freaks!!!' post. It would be great to see what else you guys got in terms of photos, documents, or anything else that is just cool!

Sheila, it is likely a different brand. This is Husqvarna as in http://www.husqvarnaviking.com. Viking, I believe, was their North American branding because it was a much more synonymous and recognizable cultural branding for a non-european market. I don't believe it was a 3rd party rebrand because it still has a Husqvarna name plate on it and they carry the Viking branding to this day. If you don't know Husqvarna they are actually a great company with a very diverse product history. Their current motorcycle is actually famous, as are their chainsaws.

I have it's sibling, the 33-10. For some markets these are called Vikings. They and incredibly built machines. Fun fact, the original manuals state that they are industrials, albeit lightweight. I would put them on par with the domestic Singers of the time but they are built slightly more robust with fantastic gear boxes and so on. A nice buy at the price. I scored mine for $9.99 at a thrift store. The great thing is most people (including the people pricing them) have no idea what they are because they are surprisingly rare (especially in the states).

In addition to timing, check the hook spacing. If your machine wasn't setup for such large needles, chances are that spacing is completely off.

What level fabrication skills do you have?

Doh! haha

That's just a trademarked name for PTFE (teflon)

This is the stuff I mentioned. Likely the same stuff. Also comes in tubes. https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-41160-Synthetic-Translucent/dp/B0083R1FME/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=super+lube&qid=1587340226&sr=8-3

Exactly the same! Nice example. The big irony is that sewing machine culture gathered around Tri-Flow.... a bike lube, HA! Nothing wrong with the brand, but funny none the less.

Likely for the same reason people swear by sewing machine oil... 1. Don't understand lubricants 2. Marketing and Wives-tales That said, clear oil has some benefits. Grease doesn't have the same problem of dripping down the presser foot though.

I use Super Lube NLGI 2.

paging @Constabulary Hope you don't mind me calling you, but I found some interesting things you said on this post. I am curious if the needle bar hack you mention is universal. I ask because my 20u uses the same system as the Singer 212g141 mentioned here. I would like to be able to interchange needles with my 135x17 Consew 206 though. If raising the needle bar is both possible and doesn't have any downsides, I might just do that.

Absolutely! That is exactly why I got it, so that is great to hear. Will also sew fabric outdoor gear and some clothing. Versatility drew me too it as well, but also when I found out how common it is, I knew parts would be easy to come by and cheap for years to come. I might even hook the knee lever to the stitch width lever and try some old time, "general store" name embroidery on handkerchiefs, jackets, etc.

To be fair, the toolbox I'm selling retails for $265. Resale market is around $120. At the end of the day it cost me $25 though. Looks like a family selling items from an estate than none of the family members wanted. That is usually a good sign. I know my way around a machine enough to make the functional call I think though. Whenever there is also a sewn item left under the foot, I'm almost always optimistic.

Thanks for the advice all. I am picking this 20u-33 up tomorrow. They claim fully functional, but that the motor doesn't work. That is fine with me because I was going to grab a servo anyways. This is almost ideal. Best part... it is a trade for a Kennedy toolbox that I got at Goodwill for $25. I'd say thats a score.

Yea. There are two in my area at $800 and $1400. Unfortunate. I really messed up. about 8 months ago I had the opportunity to get a Bernina 117 head for around $250 but I was just too busy... should have done it. Now I have tons of time and am kicking myself.

Thank you for the great response. I think you are absolutely right! A zig-zag would be a better and more versatile unit.The most common around me are definitely the 20u and its clones. That 307G2 is a NICE looking machine. I'll keep an eye out. Do you happen to know which machine would be easiest to get a straight stitch needle plate for (just a hole as opposed to a horizontal slot). I need a small hole needle plate for the ripstop because it often gets pulled down with the needle. I hear you and that is fair. I do sew a lot of other materials so if it isnt stellar I will just not use it for leather projects. My 206 just chews on thiner leather occasionally, so I was looking for a machine that would better handle very thin work. The good news is downgrading the thread size would work well for the lighter work as well so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the input. All good things to consider. This is a beautiful machine. I've seen it many times... just wish the prices weren't so high. I'll definitely reconsider this machine. Thanks for the reminder. Great suggestion.

I'm looking to add a straight stitch machine to my studio, but haven't worked much with them. My Consew 206 was an easy buy because the machine has a cult following and a great reputation. Straight stitch machines seem to be more varied and with less consensus. Does anyone have any experienced recommendations? I'm looking to buy from the used market. Use case would be very light leather (at the heavy end) and down to sewing ripstop nylon material (at the light end).

MDV, thanks so much for the input! That is close, I'll have to look them up and maybe stop by. That said, have you checked out the New-Tech link I posted? It's $900! I am really considering it and that company is also in L.A. The biggest thing is quality control, which I'm not sure about, but I've found that so many of these machines are actually getting cranked out of the same factory. This goes for other industries as well. Even things like the REX servo motors vs the FamilySew... its all the same stuff. If not the same factory, almost always the same components. I'm hoping Wiz has some insight about these house brands like New-Tech. If I stop by in person to check the machine out I'll let you know what I think. I have read reviews that the people who own Goldstar don't take care of their customers, but I might be willing to take the risk for the price and just own the possibility I may have to wrench on it to get it perfect.

Glenn, thank you for the additional info. That cleared up a lot and I will keep an eye out for a different machine. Wiz, thanks buddy. Appreciate the info. After looking around I ended up finding this https://www.goldstartool.com/new-tech-gc-8b-cylindrical-bed-compound-feed-lockstitch-industrial-sewing-machine-with-table-and-servo-motor.htm which looks to be the same machine. I know for a fact TechSew has better service, but will this machine be functionally the same? I found a post in the search on this site that says this is a house clone of a seiko for GoldStar. In your extensive experience, will this be just as good a machine as a TechSew? It is substantially cheaper.

That is my thought exactly. I've noticed I haven't been using it much. It is because I build from scratch and if I do order of operations correctly, I don't need to do anything too tricky. So that is good news. I think a cylinder arm would be a good move for me then. The 2700 is sounding pretty sweet. Everything I've seen online looks amazing as well. That said, it is considerably more expensive. Do you have an opinion on any other similar machines that might be less expensive? If I can do this ideally, I'll get the 2700, but a backup plan would be nice just in case. Maybe even that Pfaff 337-G?