Singer 29K71 Restoration

[Constabulary]

I finally found a cobbler machine with a short arm - not easy to find over here. Just paid 40€ but it needs a general overhaul but thats what I expected. One of the former owners messed up the needle bar...

So here are some pictures of my restoration:

Edited May 31, 2014 by Constabulary

[cdthayer]

Should make you a nice machine when finished.

CD in Oklahoma

[Constabulary]

I made some progress already but I have to order some parts which are either rusted or just messed up

[Constabulary]

@ the moderators

Thanks for correcting my spelling

[kidbeey]

You really stripped it right down. I am interested to know how it sews when you have restored it. Also I wonder how you got the Singer labels looking so good.

I have a 29K58 that works well but stitch length needs improving so I purchased a new Feed Motion Bell Crank Lever, gib and stitch regulator which I hope may solve the problem. I think I can change the Bell Crank Lever without taking the whole head assembly above the foot apart ie., by removing screws near the Revolving Bush Handle. I also purchased a new shuttle and was surprised how expensive it was at AUD $99. Apparently, parts like this are manufactured in Japan.

Anyway keep us posted of your restoration progress.

[Constabulary]

I also like to know how it sews when I´m done

Well, the machine was a barn find more or less and not very expensive. So it wouldn´t be a big loss if I had ruined it.

And I always like to learn what is going on in the machines I´m using so I can help my self (most of the times) when something is wrong with it.

Taking it apart was quite easy but I did not dare to remove the upper shaft - "a voice" said don´t do it!

Every single part has its place, there is no part that fits somewhere else so it was an quite easy task to reassemble it. It´s really a very simple machine!!! Adjusting it is a different story. I know it is out of time but I have a manual already so I think I can do it. So far the feeding looks good but w/o the needle bar it makes no sense to do adjustments until I have all parts.

A friend did the Singer logos for me. They are water slide decals and can be over painted with clear lacquer to protect them.

He asked just 5€ for a set of two. They look even better when you have applied a clear lacquer. I ordered a few more just for the case I damage them but they are sturdy and It was easy to apply them. So I have 2 more - if you want them drop me a PN.

College Sewing in the UK has all the parts I need for a reasonable price. So I think will order all parts from them, I think. But I will check Ebay too.

[kidbeey]

Thanks for replying Constabulary. College Sewing seem to have cheaper parts. Who makes them for them? I think my bobbin case was made by this company in Japan http://www.towa-mfg.co.jp/seihin/bc_e.htm. It is a real precision part with a beautiful finish. I have heard that people who buy the Taiwanese made Boot Patcher and have sewing problems can solve them by buying a high quality shuttle.

Thanks for your kind offer re the logos.

[Constabulary]

Well, their shuttle carrier + shuttle hook are actually made by TOWA.

They mentioned it in the description so I think the other parts will be of good quality too but you never know as long as they do not mention the manufacturer or you have tried the parts.

[Constabulary]

DONE!

I ordered all parts from College Sewing, UK. Allparts are great - I have no complaints. Only part that "looked" cheap was the bobbing winder but I took the arm of the original Singer bobbin winder and installed the parts from the new bobbin winder - fits perfect and runs perfect. So I´m good with it.

The needle bar glides smoooooooth in the head and for just 25.00 GBP it is quite cheap and it is complete with all parts. Shuttle carrier is nice too. It has a nice finish.

Some pictures:

[cdthayer]

Looks good. Well done.

CD in Oklahoma

[Constabulary]

Thanks CD, I´m quite pleased with the result.

It sews well so far but the rollers which run in the driving cam and feed motion cam are a bit rough as it seems and I think I have to replace them. From just turning them they were good but now that I have reassembled everything they seems to run rough somehow. Well, thats something for the next order. But for them moment I think it works fine.

[Constabulary]

And finally small Video of how it sews.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Constabulary

[VanRhodes]

Very nice job, I've been looking at a machine like that for some time now so I might just pick one up when ever I find one at a reasonable price. How did you go about getting the metal parts so nice and clean? Comparing the raw metal parts in your video with those in the first pictures its quite a big difference.

[Constabulary]

Some parts are actually new (see picture above) but most parts I have first degreased and then I put them in a solution of oxalic acid which removes most of the rust and leaves a grayish coating on the metal (don´t ask me how this chemically works). And then I have used the good old wire brush to polish the parts as good as possible.Silver grey hammerite did the rest of the job.

[VanRhodes]

Copy, thanks alot! Will check out the oxalic acid!

[Hillbilly tim]

This is the exact model, the 29K71, I hope to find. Kinda slim in these parts. I suppose in most areas as well.

Tim

[alexitbe]

Constabulary,

That's a good read and nice end result. It provides hope .

I think you are right about the k7X series being the one to get...

As an aside, why bother with a patcher if you have an ordinary sewing machine that will sew leather? Unless you are really using it for boots,or confined spaces. What am I missing?

[Constabulary]

Patchers are nice & versatile machines and they can be quite helpful but I still stick to my opinion that they are just repair machines (thats what they once where designed for) and not very comfortable for producing quality goods. But I would not miss mine though it does not see much use. It does not eat bread and it is "sleeping" thoroughly oiled under my table but I had situation I really needed it! It´s always good to have one - really!

[Wizcrafts]

Constabulary,

That's a good read and nice end result. It provides hope .

I think you are right about the k7X series being the one to get...

As an aside, why bother with a patcher if you have an ordinary sewing machine that will sew leather? Unless you are really using it for boots,or confined spaces. What am I missing?

If you should decide to go into leather repairs and sewing patches onto Biker vests, a patcher is indispensable. I have two in my shop: a long arm large bobbin and a short arm small bobbin. Both have little 1.5 amp motors and foot operated speed controllers. Both need to be started by hand before the itsy bitsy motors can take over.

Why a patcher?

Because of the very narrow cylinder arm, a patcher can sew a patch over a pocket and get very close to the sides or bottom. No other machine in my arsenal can do that. Due to the 360 degree presser foot feed, a patcher can follow the shapes of the patches or seams as you sew. Of course, this takes away one hand. Patchers can get inside purses to repair tabs that are pulling off. They are especially good at replacing zippers on purses, or on leather jacket pockets and sleeves. The machines can get well into the vamp of a shoe to go over loose or missing stitches.

In short, if you need to sew in very tight quarters, with thread not too thick, into material not exceeding 1/4 inch, and possibly in more than one direction, nothing beats a patcher!