Constabulary Report post Posted April 24, 2022 (edited) Saving some old cast iron again... Just recently I found a Singer cylinder arm machine that appeared to be a left stand 45K. The picture from the classified ad is the one below and no further information were given. So my rusted cast iron heart decided to pic it up. It was located near Cuxhaven up at the north sea. Gas prices hurt but it also hurts to see this thing in it´s current condition and probably end up at a scrap yard or as a "boat anchor" or garden decoration. So I figured it is a Singer 145K1 (name plate is present). Regarding its serial number the machine was built in 1939 and only 50 (fifty) of them were made at that time. While crawling through the ISMACS serial number lists I figured only 220 of them were made between 1919 and 1949 (regarding their lists). So this really is a rare bird! I will inspect the machine and I hope not too many parts are bad or missing - we will see.... The stand is a DIY stand obviously, not sure what to do with it. This thingy will keep me busy and my fingers dirty for a while, I think. Note for Jimi: it will be black again - not silver. Edited April 24, 2022 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordond Report post Posted April 24, 2022 aah .. rusty iron.. incurable addiction.. . Just chiming in as I'm just about to start on a Fortuna skiver restore ... This I need to actually do some work with.. (who am I kidding ).. the other skiver -a "Forma" needs work on the knife worm gear and a bearing replacement..but not much to do. Watching on your progress! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted April 24, 2022 Constabulary, Oh you've got a heart for these old machines, hope you get her Singing again & wishing that it will not be in need of too many parts! Can't wait to see her restored! Good luck, have fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted April 25, 2022 Parts and paint stripped - almost. Electrolysis did a good job again! Next is cleaning the parts. Most are just dirty and oily, just some rusted but so far not badly I´d say. Fortunately nothing broke! Just some smaller missing parts but I think most can be replaced with regular 45K bits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thescandall Report post Posted April 25, 2022 where do you guys find the wonderful old machines. Do you have some kinda Miracle rusty nut and bolt removal tools. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted April 25, 2022 You're not wasting any time, I see! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrdunn Report post Posted April 26, 2022 Nice work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted April 27, 2022 Another old beauty Lovingly restored! What a treat for our eyes to see! Great work so far! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted April 27, 2022 (edited) I forgot to post pics of the the dirty stuff. The cleaned parts turned out super nice - seems to be a quite low millage machine. Even some of the old parts bluing is still quite good! Will post some pictures of the cleaned parts later or tomorrow. Edited April 27, 2022 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted April 28, 2022 (edited) I solved a small (no - rather big) problem meanwhile. Since this is a left stand machine and the tension unit is on the opposite side compared to the standard 45K´s (see picture) I needed a left wound check spring. The former owner had the same problem and bubba`ed a too weak spring from plain wire (obviously failed). Wrapped my thoughts around the spring and an Adler 220 spring set came to my mind which is correctly wound but 2mm too wide. Then a patcher threading wire came to my mind and a YT video about making springs that I watched the other day so I gave it a try. 1st try making a check spring failed - 2nd spring turned out good and is functional The 2nd spring parts (not really a spring considering its function) I found in a spare parts box which really surprised me to find. So I replaced some missing and wrong parts on the two tension units and they are now good to go The lower TU was my biggest concern actually - no functional TU -> no sewing! Edited April 28, 2022 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted April 28, 2022 Just in case - this was the "inspiring video". I just pulled the wire to the right for having a tighter coil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kgg Report post Posted April 28, 2022 On 4/24/2022 at 10:37 AM, Constabulary said: Saving some old cast iron again.. That is good to be a nice machine when your finished doing the restoration. Always nice to see the old iron running again. kgg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted April 28, 2022 17 minutes ago, kgg said: Always nice to see the old iron running again. Thats what I always say Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 1, 2022 Small update: Upgraded the badly bubba`ed bobbin winder (proper thumb nut replaced the drawer knob, eccentric finished and bobbin holder axle replaced - still have to attach the wire) Also Finished the face plate - tension units needed several OEM parts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 2, 2022 11 hours ago, Constabulary said: still have to attach the wire wire -> tire it is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damas Report post Posted May 4, 2022 Dear @Constabulary this post is so interesting ! it’ll be great if you could do, one day, a step by step tutorial to unmount and remount a 45k. Unless such thing already exists ? I fear to do it by myself, I am so scared I will never be able to reassemble it… By the way, I have to post about my mistery 45k mill machine (darning) : it has a feed mechanism and a stitch lenght adjuster even if there is actually no feed dog. The serial is not a Singer one, neither the plate. But parts are definitely Simanco I think it might interest you and probably @Jimmy too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 4, 2022 I´m not the big tutorial to be honest guy. I even forgot to take pictures of the cleaned parts cause I do this and that then and now... and when I´m in work (dirty fingers) mode I seldom grab the camera. I have it assembled already - almost. But the 45K is so simple you almost cant do anything wrong when you have some mechanics experience. Some screws are critical cause they are bit hard to reach and you need the right blade screw drivers otherwise you may damage the slits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted May 4, 2022 C, Nice job so far!! glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted May 5, 2022 On 4/28/2022 at 12:11 PM, Constabulary said: Just in case - this was the "inspiring video". I just pulled the wire to the right for having a tighter coil Wow! You are AMAZING!!! Very interesting indeed. Thanks for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted May 5, 2022 C, Great job so far.!! glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joseramon Report post Posted May 23, 2022 Excelente trabajo y una reliquia restaurada impresionante bien hecho está máquina lo agradecería Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted May 23, 2022 2 hours ago, joseramon said: Excelente trabajo y una reliquia restaurada impresionante bien hecho está máquina lo agradecería Translation: Excellent work and an impressive restored relic well done this machine would appreciate it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted May 23, 2022 thansk a lot - I will posts some update pictures maybe later today. I´m a bit occupied with annoying things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcremb Report post Posted May 23, 2022 Great job! I didn't know that their was sewing machines for left handed... It needs a minimum of sewing machine knowledge their. I Wonder.... Are you a left handed handy man? I have worked 20 years ago for an Upholster in Quebec City that is left handed. He as to use sewing machines that are all made for right handed People. He was amazing to see sewing. I can't image my self as a right handed man with a sewing machine on the left side.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) Update. Its assembled again. Not entirely happy with the paint but well, it looks better than before. I just striped the paint of hand wheel and added a Singer badge. Presser foot was missing now it has a new one and I replaced the spool pin with a new chromed one. Upper tension unit is replaced too and I added a new thread guide. Edited June 5, 2022 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites