upgrading a Singer 99K

[Jimbob]

Hello ya all...

I got a little Singer 99', which I use for wallets and such, also some 2-3 oz veg tan liner and chrom tan bags up to 3-4oz....works OK,but I need a little more power seems like and yes I know this machine was not designed to do leather but it is a stout little bugger in mint shape with beautiful stitches!!!

Is there any way to make this baby stronger???

It transports anything I want, just the motor gives out and when I help a little on the handwheel she runs right along...

James

[ryano]

Look for a higher amperage motor.

[cdthayer]

I got a little Singer 99'....need a little more power seems like....Is there any way to make this baby stronger???

...the motor gives out and when I help a little on the handwheel she runs right along...

James

Put a larger handwheel on it. If it's got the basic small disc-type wheel on it that most electric 99s came out with, a larger spoke-type wheel is an easy conversion. The larger wheel will give it a little more momentum, similar to adding a flywheel to a system.

Changing wheels is a common conversion, and necessary to create a 99 handcrank using after-market parts that are now available (the handcranks require a spoked wheel for the "finger" to operate the wheel). I know you're not wanting to go handcrank, but the larger wheels have the belt groove like the smaller wheels, and you'll like the larger wheel for those times when you still need to help a little by hand.

Best choice is to find an old class 66 machine to get the larger wheel. New spoke-type hand wheels are available (most domestic sewing machine repairmen stock them - $10-15), although I've noticed that some of the guys making them have a little trouble getting the center hole "centered". Most of them work pretty well anyway, but some of them wobble.

CD in Oklahoma

thayerrags.com

[Jimbob]

uote name='cdthayer' date='17 November 2009 - 06:25 AM' timestamp='1258457137' post='131347']

Put a larger handwheel on it. If it's got the basic small disc-type wheel on it that most electric 99s came out with, a larger spoke-type wheel is an easy conversion. The larger wheel will give it a little more momentum, similar to adding a flywheel to a system.

Changing wheels is a common conversion, and necessary to create a 99 handcrank using after-market parts that are now available (the handcranks require a spoked wheel for the "finger" to operate the wheel). I know you're not wanting to go handcrank, but the larger wheels have the belt groove like the smaller wheels, and you'll like the larger wheel for those times when you still need to help a little by handTh

Best choice is to find an old class 66 machine to get the larger wheel. New spoke-type hand wheels are available (most domestic sewing machine repairmen stock them - $10-15), although I've noticed that some of the guys making them have a little trouble getting the center hole "centered". Most of them work pretty well anyway, but some of them wobble.

CD in Oklahoma

thayerrags.com

Thanks so much, I did not Know u can do that to a little Singer 99, bigger hanswheel makes sense....

Always something to learn!!

Again, tnx

James

[silverlightning]

Hi James, have you found a solution?

I have an old Singer 99K too. It was handed down in my family and I ended up with it because nobody else wanted it. I have used it for lots of projects, and after the motor was greased it is fast and strong enough for my leather projects. With a leather needle it sews two layers of fairly thick hard leather with no problem. Mostly I sew only one layer of the thick hard leather and then use a softer leather that folds around, that sort of gives two or three layers depending on what's needed.

This was originally a hand operated machine bought new in 1933, and then a few years later was fitted with a electrical motor and every thing standard for domestic machines at the time. The motor is old, and probably far from the strongest and I would think a stronger motor would make a big difference in strength. I think there should be stronger motors available made in the 60's and 70's that easily fits this model.

New grease in the motor made a big difference here, I don't know if you have checked this with yours. I like my machine as it is, and hesitate to alter the appearance of it.

[Jimbob]

Hi James, have you found a solution?

I have an old Singer 99K too. It was handed down in my family and I ended up with it because nobody else wanted it. I have used it for lots of projects, and after the motor was greased it is fast and strong enough for my leather projects. With a leather needle it sews two layers of fairly thick hard leather with no problem. Mostly I sew only one layer of the thick hard leather and then use a softer leather that folds around, that sort of gives two or three layers depending on what's needed.

This was originally a hand operated machine bought new in 1933, and then a few years later was fitted with a electrical motor and every thing standard for domestic machines at the time. The motor is old, and probably far from the strongest and I would think a stronger motor would make a big difference in strength. I think there should be stronger motors available made in the 60's and 70's that easily fits this model.

New grease in the motor made a big difference here, I don't know if you have checked this with yours. I like my machine as it is, and hesitate to alter the appearance of it.

Hello

Thanks for the info, My motor was very weak to begin with and I opted for a new very strong 1.5 Amp motor from Toledo industrial sewingmachines!!

That thing now is eating everything up that u dare to put under the pressure foot!!! This is not a industrial sewingmachione but a hard working jewel in my book...I also changed the handwheel to the bigger spoked one!! Made also a boig difference....and when u need a little help with ur hand then that bigger wheel comes in handy....here are two pictures of the new, old, Singer 99K !!!

Greetings

James

[silverlightning]

Good to hear it's not only I who are holding on to these old machines. With an industrial motor I imagine that it tackles just about any challenge. The old motor might have been worn out after all these years. I didn't find any "after" picture, but I found the "before", and it looks great. It looks like you have the 40's or 50's model that allowed more easily adjustment of stitch length, and sew back and forward, a nice advantage. So far all I ever needed when sewing leather was straight forward, and a few bends and curves now and then :-)

[Jimbob]

Good to hear it's not only I who are holding on to these old machines. With an industrial motor I imagine that it tackles just about any challenge. The old motor might have been worn out after all these years. I didn't find any "after" picture, but I found the "before", and it looks great. It looks like you have the 40's or 50's model that allowed more easily adjustment of stitch length, and sew back and forward, a nice advantage. So far all I ever needed when sewing leather was straight forward, and a few bends and curves now and then :-)

I guess I forgot to add the "after" pictures...LOL...sorry...here are they...hope you can tell....the new BLACK motor....and the beautiful larger Handwheel...I love this little 99K!!!

If you need any help on urs, please call Bob Kovar from Toledo industrial sewing machines...866-3627-397....he was super big help on this matter and he carries the No 18 leather sewing machine needles for just a few bucks!! Very nice guy, check him out!!!

Greetings and let me know if I can help...

James

[silverlightning]

Oh, thank's

I'm looking for needles with a large enough eye for a bit thinker tread. The only leather needle I can get here is numbered "90/14". If you say number 18 fits this machine I'll go for that one. The hole in the plate is rather small and I suppose some needles get to large for this machine? So far I've mostly used a leather needles that came with the machine but I've managed to bend it, and there's no number.

[silverlightning]

Funny, I never expected to find anyone using the same machine I have. I went into a sewing shop for tread and bobbins they asked really patronising "would you not like to change it iin for a newer model?" lol. I checked my machine, and the motor is only 0.5 amp, but it sews through anything that fits under the pressure foot, which is rather limited.