help from the masters..... Is the machine fixable?

[MattiJoy2]

went to my walking foot repair man today to pick up my machine.  Almost top shelf was a vintage very large Durkopp Adler cylinder arm.  He said it was a very good machine and had a huge bobbin.  It had a crack around the upper right top half circling nearly around the whole thing.  I climbed up to push on it and it was stiff and didn't move or wobble.  I asked him what happened and he said it fell. He would give it to me for $500. I told him my boyfriend has 40 years experience welding  {that's his profession}, and could repair it and he said the mechanisms work perfect and it should be fine.  It looks like it has been painted but not sure.  I am unable to really see the total damage and need to take it off the shelf to inspect further.  What do you think.  Is it possible it could work and fall from my guess around 15 feet.  Should I consider buying it and what should I look for. I'm new to this repair man and haven't built trust or a relationship with him yet. The crack is not the cylinder arm it is on the top next to the stem, if that helps.

Edited Thursday at 11:36 PM by MattiJoy2

[MattiJoy2]

It fell.  It is a vintage cylinder arm Adler with a large bobbin. I pushed on the machine to see if it is loose from the crack and nothing.  It is for sale for $500. My boyfriend is a welder by trade and can fix it.  Is is possible it can be working properly again?  The owner of the shop said it is mechanically ok but the crack is 2/3 around the entire perimiter of the upper body against the stem of the machine.It is stiff and has no movement. What should I look for in evaluating it or should I not bother

[Wizcrafts]

@MattiJoy2;

Get the model number and maybe a low res photo.

[Michiel]

I have seen adlers with a crack that stil worked. (For a long time)

i would like to see a picture, but in generall i think: “if its not broken, don’t fix it”

(if you have someone who thinks he can weld it, you might consider to buy it and start using it)

[toxo]

Firstly it's on the top shelf because it's not sellable. I wouldn't risk $50 on something that Might work. If you jump through all the hoops necessary to get it home and find it doesn't work you'll not get your money back. If he can get it down and it turns freely you might have a chance but it still might not be in sync. 

If it looks like there's a chance you could make an offer but I wouldn't be offering anything near $500. Welding cast steel can be difficult so you can use the cost of repair in your favour.

[AlZilla]

Pictures are really required to give any kind of opinion. But your boyfriend is the best one to ask.

Welding can cause distortion that might lead to misalignment of previously machined parts. Cast iron can also be it's own particular challenge.

[kgg]

17 hours ago, MattiJoy2 said:

Almost top shelf was a vintage very large Durkopp Adler cylinder arm.

My take without seeing any photo's:

With a crack that severe there are three questions that need to be answered. 

1) Does it move freely and sew? If not it there are more then likely internal damaged / misaligned parts. 

2) What parts are damaged / misaligned / bend inside. Parts for Durkopp Adler in general can be expensive and depending on the age of the machine they maybe difficult to get. 

3) Welding can be done on cast iron but and it is a big but can the machine be welded properly so nothing internally warps. If the crack could be repaired it does beg the question why hasn't the repair shop had it done?

Personally I would consider this a parts machine so it's worth is next to nothing except to someone with the same or similar model. As for the repair shop well I would would be very wary and probably consider finding another repair shop.

Since you are looking at cylinder arm machine I have two suggestions:

1) Set a realistic budget. My rule of thumb if I'm looking for a used machine for myself I am willing to pay 60% to 70 % of the cost a new machine if it is owned by a hobbyist.

2) Determine the class of machine that covers 90% of what you plan on sewing. As a quick reference: i) The Juki DNU-1541S and clones for Flatbed needs. ii) The Juki LS-1341 and clones for Cylinder Arm needs. These machines in general cover most needs. 

If it is going to be your main machine I would suggest a cylinder arm machine with a flatbed attachment and probably go with a new machine. Clone machines and there are many are a cost effective way.

kgg

[Cumberland Highpower]

Sure it can be fixed.

Can you post some details like Wiz asked?

You "May just be able to use it as it is...Maybe forever? Or maybe not?  If it looks like it's holding pretty well, you can just cut a small relief in the cracked areas and work in JB weld, grind flush and repaint the machine.  Nobody will ever know.

Check to see if it works freely w/o any binding or misalignment before doing anything.

Are you certain it's a crack?  Some machines are made from more than one piece and bolted together.  (Like my Seiko TE6).  It has 2 pieces that are bolted together and finished smooth on the exterior, but "look" like a fine crack.

Is it a hairline crack or a crack that allows some daylight?

If he's a welder by trade there is little doubt he can fit it.  Cast iron you have is best brazed.  Probably in 'stitches" to keep anything from warping or cracking further.  It can be welded also, but I'm not sure I would do it on a sewing machine.

Edited 18 hours ago by Cumberland Highpower

[CowboyBob]

4 hours ago, kgg said:

My take without seeing any photo's:

With a crack that severe there are three questions that need to be answered. 

1) Does it move freely and sew? If not it there are more then likely internal damaged / misaligned parts. 

2) What parts are damaged / misaligned / bend inside. Parts for Durkopp Adler in general can be expensive and depending on the age of the machine they maybe difficult to get. 

3) Welding can be done on case iron but and it is a big but can the machine be welded properly so nothing internally warps. If the crack could be repaired it does beg the question why hasn't the repair shop had it done?

Personally I would consider this a parts machine so it's worth is next to nothing except to someone with the same or similar model. As for the repair shop well I would would be very wary and probably consider finding another repair shop.

Since you are looking at cylinder arm machine I have two suggestions:

1) Set a realistic budget. My rule of thumb if I'm looking for a used machine for myself I am willing to pay 60% to 70 % of the cost a new machine if it is owned by a hobbyist.

2) Determine the class of machine that covers 90% of what you plan on sewing. As a quick reference: i) The Juki DNU-1541S and clones for Flatbed needs. ii) The Juki LS-1341 and clones for Cylinder Arm needs. These machines in general cover most needs. 

If it is going to be your main machine I would suggest a cylinder arm machine with a flatbed attachment and probably go with a new machine. Clone machines and there are many are a cost effective way.

kgg

Here's one we welded years ago & he's still using it.But every repair is different.

welded Adler.pdf

Edited 18 hours ago by CowboyBob

[kgg]

7 minutes ago, CowboyBob said:

But every repair is different.

I agree and it also depends on the ability / experience of the person doing the repair.

kgg

[Northmount]

@MattiJoy2 Merged your posts into a single thread.  Let's keep related items together instead of starting a new thread and asking similar questions.