Very Old Singer "patcher". Help...

[Skaukraft]

Hi.

New to the forum.

I have some questions about a very old Singer machine, and someone recommended me this forum.

What I have found out is that it is a 1893 model,, the serial number is 11400037, and that it is called a "patcher". And thats about it.

I got it from a old shoe maker/saddle maker shop, and I have reasons to belive that it was in use up to the 1960's.

It seems to be in fairly good order, but are of course in need of some TLC.

So, to the question: Does anyone here have some more info about this machine, anything would be appreciated. I recon that user manuals and/or spare parts lists is to much to hope for.....

Oh, by the way. Im norwegian, and the machine was found in Norway.

[LumpenDoodle2]

First of all, check out a site called ISMACS, that will give you more info based on the serial number.

Except in this case, I see it doesn't. Have a read through that site anyway, it is the vintage Singer machine collector's font of all knowledge.

Singer, especially in the late 1800's happily made low run and one off machines, and your looks as if it could be based on a 45 body. Do another google, but type in Singer 45K, there are a number of sites out there that can provide every Singer owner's manual to download for free. It's probibly worth a bit of a search, as the basics such as threading, etc is fairly standard.

Sorry I can't be more specific. I'll have a little look for you later today.

[Constabulary]

This is not a 45K based machine this is more a Singer 17 based machine I would say. Not a heavy duty machine.

[LumpenDoodle2]

Right, thought it looked bigger than a 17K, but I'm probibly wrong.

Ok, google 17K, and at least you'll have a basic manual for the threading, stitch, etc

[Skaukraft]

Thanks for the info. I have read the ISMACS page up and down and up again without luck. And a lot of other related pages with no luck.

I got some info on another forum from an old english man who said it was what he called a patcher. It was used to make stuffed colars and such on riding shoes and neck colars and such, and it was notoriously difficult to set up and use.

After two days of searching I have still not found a single picture of a similar machine.

I am amazed over the tightness and smoothness of the mechanism after 123 years.

Edit: Note that theres no foot on it, but a brass wheel that lifts up and down when you operate the lever. I'll take some more and better pictures of it tonight.

Edit II: The place it was found has got long and proud maritime history. Is it possible that it have been used for sail making?

Edited June 4, 2015 by Skaukraft

[Constabulary]

Thanks for the info. I have read the ISMACS page up and down and up again without luck. And a lot of other related pages with no luck.

I got some info on another forum from an old english man who said it was what he called a patcher. It was used to make stuffed colars and such on riding shoes and neck colars and such, and it was notoriously difficult to set up and use.

After two days of searching I have still not found a single picture of a similar machine.

I am amazed over the tightness and smoothness of the mechanism after 123 years.

Edit: Note that theres no foot on it, but a brass wheel that lifts up and down when you operate the lever. I'll take some more and better pictures of it tonight.

Edit II: The place it was found has got long and proud maritime history. Is it possible that it have been used for sail making?

I forgot to mention that this is a Singer 34 or 34K.

You should find them in the ISMACS Comprehensive class list.

But this for sure is not a sail maker machine. I´d rather say a light duty machine for the shoe industries.

[Skaukraft]

Bingo!

Thanks a lot Constabulary. It is much appreciated.

[CowboyBob]

Here is a Singer 34K11 I picked up last year,it has a 45K top & a large bobbin & shuttle that is aboy 3x larger than a 29K

[Constabulary]

So am I on the wrong track? To me the machine in the 1st post looks more like a Sinker 17K than a 45K top or is the machine not a 34K?

Edited June 4, 2015 by Constabulary

[CowboyBob]

No,I think your correct,I'd say it's like a 17 too,the 34K weighs 122Lbs or 55kgs.That machine looks

alittle lighter.

Edited June 4, 2015 by CowboyBob

[Constabulary]

Is it possible that the 34K11 is a subclass with a 45K top and the other subclass have a 17K top? Not sure....

[LumpenDoodle2]

I visited the Singer sewing machine Exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland, and definately got the impression that the resulting 'specialist' machines were solely dependant on what machine carcasses were on hand at the time.

[Skaukraft]

Hi folks.

This is most defenately a 34K.

After I got the model name from Constabulary things started to happen.

Bare in mind this is a 1893 model, so it is an early model (as far as I have found out they started to make them in 1890). So I suspect it to be a 34K1

The weight of the machine itself (without the readle stand) is approx 50kg+, and with the treadle stand it weighs in at 100-110kg. It is about 1,5 meters high, and the wooden top of the treadle stand is approx 1 meter wide, so it is a grown up lady:-D

I got in touch with a shoe maker here in Norway who says that this is one of the most versatile leather sewing machines ever made, and it stiches sole leather up to 8mm thicknes without any problem.

There are some bits and pieces missing, but it should be possible to get it back in service.

Edit: Just got a reply on my e-mail to Singer, confirming this is a 34K, produced february 27, 1893.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Skaukraft

[LumpenDoodle2]

You could always try www.helenhowes-sewingmachines.co.uk, she mainly covers used parts for domestic machines, but is a great source for vintage Singer parts.

She also has a lot of machine experience so may be able to point you in the right direction.

[Constabulary]

Well, I doubt it will sew 8mm sole leather. Maybe with a thin needle and a thin thread but thats not what you want when you are sewing 8mm sole leather. When this machine is based on a Singer 17K I think it is designed for about 4mm - 6mm max. but rather for soft leather and not for very hard sole leather.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Constabulary

[machinehead]

https://books.google.com/books?id=x9U-AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=singer+34k+-+1+sewing+machine&source=bl&ots=5WpRh36Cqp&sig=L5Z8tTpTH64GWG4cLcGNGK8s_KU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ALRxVf2oHIqTsAXOyYOwCg&ved=0CFEQ6AEwCw#v=onepage&q=singer%2034k%20-%201%20sewing%20machine&f=false

An interesting 34K

[Constabulary]

https://books.google.com/books?id=x9U-AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=singer+34k+-+1+sewing+machine&source=bl&ots=5WpRh36Cqp&sig=L5Z8tTpTH64GWG4cLcGNGK8s_KU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ALRxVf2oHIqTsAXOyYOwCg&ved=0CFEQ6AEwCw#v=onepage&q=singer%2034k%20-%201%20sewing%20machine&f=false

An interesting 34K

I don´t see a machine at all

[machinehead]

In " Google Books" search for the book " Saddlery and Harness Volume 17 " then search within the book for Singer 34 k. If this doesn't work add Journal after Harness. Click " about this book" to see other similar books at the bottom of the page.

Edited June 7, 2015 by machinehead