kikilamour Report post Posted January 11, 2015 I use my Singer 133k in a garage with no power so there is no point keeping the motor on. I intend to take it out and store it for the big move in a couple months when I have a fully functional workshop. So before I get to tinkering with the pricey 133k8 and removing the motor to convert it to a handcrank is there anything I need to think about or consider. Are any of the industrial handcranks still knocking about in the world btw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Brosowski Report post Posted January 11, 2015 Easiest thing to do is drill and tap the outer rim of the balance wheel (hand wheel) and put a knob on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdthayer Report post Posted January 12, 2015 I’ve used steering wheel spinner knobs (necker knob, Brodie knob) on a few of mine to make them handcranks. They can be taken off later if the machine is motorized again.CD in Oklahoma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Brosowski Report post Posted January 12, 2015 I have a 45k set up like that CD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
makitmama Report post Posted January 12, 2015 I have converted about a dozen vintage Singers to handcrank- these are not industrial singers, just the old full-size black ones. I usually buy a handcrank off ebay(they are chinese, not as nice as the old singer handcranks, but work ok), and then either cut a notch in the handwheel or put on a spoked handwheel. The spoked handwheels available new are pretty junky, and I always use a vintage one from a parts machine instead. the nice thing about these is that you get multiple stitches per turn, rather than just one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-SEWING-MACHINE-HAND-CRANK-FOR-TREADLE-ELECTRIC-MACHINES-/381115546846?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bc41bcde Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Brosowski Report post Posted January 12, 2015 There is a much better quality domestic hand crank available. The handle is timber, the arm is shaped and they do not rattle! They are supplied by a good friend of mine but the downside is that postage is expensive from Australia to the USA. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Indian-Hand-Crank-and-Balance-Wheel-set-/221641774790?pt=AU_Sewing&hash=item339ae116c6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
makitmama Report post Posted January 12, 2015 I like the heavier, larger spoked wheel- it would make it nicer to treadle,also. I do like the finger that hooks on the handspoke on mine better, as it articulates. So when I use the crank on something with a solid handwheel, I can bend it to the correct angle. Price looks very high.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Brosowski Report post Posted January 13, 2015 Price reflects cost and dealing with the Indian supplier has been problematic. I was involved in bringing this shipment in as I brought in a 45k25 and some other goodies with it so I know the exact numbers. Cyndy also tests every one and rejects them if they are not quite right so there is a percentage of wastage built into the price. Most US sellers of the Chinese cranks buy them from an importer but we buy everything in ourselves. Quality wise they are many times better than the Chinese version. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kikilamour Report post Posted January 13, 2015 To be honest I am pretty hesitant about drilling into any of the vintage Singers. I am a big fan of them and they are beautiful and functional machines so I don't like making permanent changes. Apart from the 133k8 I do have a 15k domestic which I converted to a handcrank as it came with a motor so I might just check if the handcrank fits the 133k* and if i does I will purchase a separate handcrank for it. I just thought the industrial handcranks would still be knocking about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kikilamour Report post Posted January 13, 2015 I’ve used steering wheel spinner knobs (necker knob, Brodie knob) on a few of mine to make them handcranks. They can be taken off later if the machine is motorized again. CD in Oklahoma Hmmmm don't know what spinner knobs are. I like the heavier, larger spoked wheel- it would make it nicer to treadle,also. I do like the finger that hooks on the handspoke on mine better, as it articulates. So when I use the crank on something with a solid handwheel, I can bend it to the correct angle. Price looks very high.... Yeah I have a 133k8 motor then a 15k handcrank, 201k treadle, 221k featherweight. All that is missing is a 29k which will be a treadle. I love treadle machines, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Brosowski Report post Posted January 13, 2015 The domestic hand crank is not going to turn the machine over due to the gearing. I have mucked around with some belt driven devices of my own design but the clamp on knob is the simplest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
