Singer Needle Bar - I Could Use Some Help

[Constabulary]

I recently have restored an old 34K post bed machine. Unfortunately I have upset it and now the needle bar is bent. No way to get it straight again. So I need a replacement but as you would assume spare parts are no longer available.

I assume the needle bar of a Singer 17 or 18 class would fit but I´m not 100% sure.

So what I would ask you guys for is if you could please measure the diameter and length of your Singer 17, 18, 31, 16, 128, 96 or similar machines so I can compare the measures.

The diameter of my 34K needle bar is 0.285" or 7,24mm and the total length is 8 3/4" or 22,3cm

THANK YOU!!!

[CowboyBob]

Yes,the singer 16 is .285 BUT the 34K we have here measures .373 & is like a 45K upper arm?I noticed yours is a SV maybe that's why?

Edited November 8, 2015 by CowboyBob

[Constabulary]

Thanks a lot Bob - that really helps Can you tell me how long the 16 class needle bar is? Any chance that you can measure a needle bar of a 17 or 18 class as well?

There are 3 (at least) different subclasses of the 34K. 34K1, 34K5 and 34K11. The 34K11 has the 45K "style" head with larger hook and the other 2 have the smaller head like the 17K or similar and with the hook of the 29K72 or Adler 30-7. I have attached the partslist. Not sure if there were other subclasses as well but thats what I can tell from the parts list.

I even have found and original manual for the 34K in the UK

Not sure whats special on my 34K S.V. 5. I´ll post some pictures of mine later.

SINGER 34K1.pdf

[Constabulary]

Some pictures of the restored machine before the accident happened. Fortunately it fits in the cut out on my 1111G156 table (not perfectly but it fits and works)

Edited November 8, 2015 by Constabulary

[Kohlrausch]

I recently have restored an old 34K post bed machine. Unfortunately I have upset it and now the needle bar is bent. No way to get it straight again. So I need a replacement but as you would assume spare parts are no longer available.

I assume the needle bar of a Singer 17 or 18 class would fit but I´m not 100% sure.

So what I would ask you guys for is if you could please measure the diameter and length of your Singer 17, 18, 31, 16, 128, 96 or similar machines so I can compare the measures.

The diameter of my 34K needle bar is 0.285" or 7,24mm and the total length is 8 3/4" or 22,3cm

THANK YOU!!!

Hi,

I geht 7,24 mm dia on my Pfaff 23. Total legth appears to be 208 mm. This is a rather close copy of the Singer 17.

Greets

Ralf C.

Greets

Ralf C.

[Constabulary]

Yes,the singer 16 is .285 BUT the 34K we have here measures .373 & is like a 45K upper arm?I noticed yours is a SV maybe that's why?

Bob, if you don´t mind could you check the length of the 16 class needle bar and in case you have a 17 class could you check the measurements as well?

Thanks a lot in advance

Edited November 8, 2015 by Constabulary

[Doru]

Hi,...20,5 cm in length and 7 mm in diameter measured on my Singer 18.This are rough measurements taken with a regular school ruler.Hope that helps though.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Doru

[CowboyBob]

Nice looking machine.The 16 cl needlebar #2050 is 183 mm long

[Evo160K]

Maybe this seller can help find what you need.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-NEEDLE-BAR-FOR-SINGER-96K-/140910210117?hash=item20cee72c45:g:DcUAAMXQ0pNRBGRB

[Darren Brosowski]

That seller, Mark Foster in Australia has a fair bit of New-Old-Stock that he picked up a while back.

Maybe this seller can help find what you need.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-NEEDLE-BAR-FOR-SINGER-96K-/140910210117?hash=item20cee72c45:g:DcUAAMXQ0pNRBGRB

[Constabulary]

@ EVO160 / Darren - he has none

Still looking for the needle bar diameter and length of Singer 17, 18, 31, 16, 128, 96 or similar machines so I can compare the measures.

Meanwhile I know the 31-15 needle bar has the correct length but for some reason I can´t figure out diameter. Singer 17 / 18 bars will most likely fit but they are a bit shorter. I don´t like ordering parts and send them back as it annoys me and the seller.

Would be nice if some of you guys could pull out your calipers...

Edited November 21, 2015 by Constabulary

[CowboyBob]

The 16,17 & 18 should all be the same since they are all like a 16 class,the 31 bar is .283 & 91/4" long,the 17 is .283 81/4"long ,the 96-80 is .250 ,6" long

Let me know if you need info on anything else.

[Constabulary]

Thanks a lot Bob + Wizcrafts for replying my post and PM and taking some measures. I think I can deal with these information. Fingers crossed.

[Ole South]

I know it's not on your list but Consew 28 (Singer 78-3 clone, circa 1973) diam - 7. 24 mm and roughly 21.5mm length. Diameter is digital mic'd the length is eyeball and ruler.

[pcox]

I may have a 16-88 needle bar extra.

[Constabulary]

Thanks Folks!

@ Pcox

I think they are a bit too short. Better too long than too short.

@Ole South

I think that would have been the closest but I already have ordered a Class 31 and Class 17 bar last week but if they don´t work the next I´ll try will be the Class 78 bar. Too bad you have not replied earlier but no problem at all Thanks anyway!

[Ole South]

I'm sorry Conny, I just saw your thread last night :/ I was guessing they were originally designed around the same time so might share similar traits.

[Constabulary]

Finally got the old Lady working again - bought a dial gauge to find the wobble in the upper shaft and hammered it back to almost zero wobble. Adjusted the shaft bushing a bit and finally I found a working needle bar. Actually the needle bar of a Singer 17 did the job. Seems there are different needle bar length for the same machine sometimes (maybe for special purposes). I tried a needle bar from a pretty beaten Singer 16 before but it was too short. Singer Part # 4264 needle bar in combination with a longer 135x17 needle is working fine.

I´m very pleased  and I again rescued some old cast iron (this one has been rescued twice actually).

[Geneva]

I hope you have found your needle bar by now. The one on my machine is 10.5 inches long and measures .373.

I need to know the operating stitches per minute for this machine. Do you have any idea as to how much it weighs??

 You do very nice work on your restorations. Keep up the excellent work.

Regards vernon nichols

[Constabulary]

Working fine again. My 34K5 is not like your 34K11 - the K5 has the head part of a Singer 16 or the like and the K11 has the head part of a Singer 45K which is much heavier. The K11 is using System 328 needles (AFAIK) and my K5 is now setup for 135x17 (orig. needle system was a different). I don´t know the max stitch per minute, its not mentioned in the manual. My 34KSV5  weights approx 29Kg. Hope this helps.

[CowboyBob]

The head weighs 123Lbs.or almost 56 Kgs. I wouldn't run it too fast,not over 600 st pr min & keep it oiled because parts will be very hard to find.

Here's a pic of the one we have.

Edited August 21, 2017 by CowboyBob

[Geneva]

Hey you two, thanks for the info on the 34k11. I need to make a table for the machine I do not have anything like the base. My machine has a roller foot instead of the pressure foot.

I think I will run the machine around 350 to 400 spm.

[Constabulary]

I think Singer 45K or GA5 presser feet will work on it.

[ddiuni]

I found some good information. thank you.
If I replace the 'Singer Part # 4264' needle bar, can I use the 34K5 sewing machine with needles of various sizes?
I have a 34K2. So I'm thinking of purchasing 'Singer Part # 4264' and replacing it.
Is the adjustment just the timing?

[ddiuni]

 

 

Is the 34k2 sewing machine usable for leather sewing?
Watching the YouTube video of 34k11, I can see that even thick leather is sewn.
I want a machine like this, can the 34k2 I got this time also sew thick leather?