I Need An Opinion On Singer 29K55 Sewing Machine.

[Wizcrafts]

G'Day ,

Well I finally got the machine home after a long drive.I did try knocking the price down, but he wouldn't budge....bugger ....it was worth a try.

Anyway, looks can be deceiving, despite its appearance, it runs a lot smoother than I expected.

I looked closely at how many stitches it can achieve.

Still using the old needle that is still in it, it can do stitches 4mm long and I used a piece of 2.5mm veg tan off cut.

I also tried two layers of 2.5mm veg (5mm) , still the same...4mm long, even with the old needle, it went thru easier than I expected.

So, if it can do that, well, it is certainly going to do what I bought it for.

I'll have to take some pics of the stitching.

Also, after cleaning the little copper and brass plates, I discovered thats it's not a 55, but a 53, not a great deal of difference really.

Apart from cleaning the surface rust on the arm etc, ,and giving it some TLC, theres not a great deal that I'll be doing to it.

I won't touch the logo's etc that are remaining, I'd like to keep those.

I am happy with it.

There is also one more 53 (or 55) that I know about, that I'll be getting, but not sure if it is complete.

I have also got a lead on a stand for the 53.

All the best,

HS

You have gotten lucky with the mechanical condition of the machine. Oil the large moving parts with straight 20 weight oil. Order you some packages of series 29x3 (round) and 29x4 (leather) needles, in sizes 16 through 22 (metric 100 - 140). Buy thread sizes T70 and T90. Get threading wires. If the bobbin tire is worn out you can get replacements online. It is a larger diameter tire than is used on household machines. The inside diameter is about 18 or 19 mm.

If you are getting 6 stitches to the inch, on 5 mm of leather, be grateful. Note, that 6 holes to the inch may not produce 6 stitches, once you actually sew with thread in it. The top and bottom tensions may drag the stitches slightly shorter.

[Handstitched]

Thanks once again for the advice.

I have printed off that info that you have given.

That 'lead' on a stand for the 53 , is also a supplier of needles , thread etc for some vintage machines, including patchers, so I will be giving him a call very soon.

I seem to have machines coming out all over the place.

There is a second patcher on the horizon that I have been told about by a friend , as well as a Seiko STW 28B ( in good working order) that a neighbour is willing to just give me, but I will give her somethng for it. Seems to be good start to 2011 as far as machines go.

Best regards,

HS

[Handstitched]

I forgot all about this. It wasn't until I was doing a search on boot patchers  that I noticed it.

Anyhoo....

This is that machine today. I haven't restored it at all, but I have given it some TLC. It works perfect, its well oiled and does  4mm stitches, I'm happy with that.   The bit of leather in the pic is  3mm .  And its definitely a 53   The only  gripe is finding parts here in Oz. Parts are a ' dime a dozen ' everywhere else , except Oz.  I just need a couple of bits to complete it .I'll go O/S if need be.   The manufacture date is around 1921 or 1924. The serial # is Y1648149 , if someone can enlighten me? 

A stand would be the ultimate, but to be honest, I have nowhere to put it . The head sits just  nicely in a spare bit of space.  It'll keep going long after I'm gone  

HS

[dikman]

Only took you 9 years to get back to your post. Can't rush these things, I guess.

It came up pretty good.

[Bert51]

Looks like it was made on 26-01-1924, that's what ISMACS  is telling me.

Bert.

[Handstitched]

9 hours ago, Bert51 said:

Looks like it was made on 26-01-1924, that's what ISMACS  is telling me

I concur. I had a look at that site, very comprehensive. 96 years old, I'll give it a birthday when it gets to 100 , might even buy some new decals and get the few missing bits  as a birthday pressie     

@dikman Thanks for that.  I live in the bush, nothing happens in a hurry out here     

[Bert51]

Or is it you live in W.A., I got out while I could and I moved back to the eastern states 30 years ago.

Bert.

[Handstitched]

4 hours ago, Bert51 said:

Or is it you live in W.A.

Now now , be nice    , I know , W.A. stands for " Wait Awhile" ,  but what I meant to  say was..?..o'h never mind    

HS

[Bert51]

Yeah, got to be nice, I still have a married daughter and a couple grandkids living in the Pilbara, 13 k's above the Capricorn.

Bert.

[shoepatcher]

 That plate is wrong.  The 29K 55 is a long arm not a short arm.  The 29K51, 52, 53, 54 are short arms.  The 29K55 and 56 are long arms.

glenn