31K20 - I bought ANOTHER machine!

[suzelle]

  On 4/7/2017 at 5:18 AM, Constabulary said:

I could use a therapy because of sewing machines . More sewing machines make it even worse

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Haha! Yes I feel that way some days when wrestling with my commercial embroidery machines. I ran a 600 piece hat order this past week and the sound of the beeps that alarm you when embroidery is done, or thread is broken, or bobbin runs out (etc...) plays in my head continually long after I get a run like that one done. Working late into the night, beep beep beep... Yikes!!!  A simple singer is therapy for me. Fixing a machine that runs simply and beautifully is a pleasure.

[suzelle]

  On 4/7/2017 at 7:40 AM, dikman said:

Thanks suzelle, I'm healing well, the surgeon is happy with the results although, depending on the biopsy report I may have to go back, but that's no big deal.

As a result of renovating this machine I've re-discovered my interest in airbrushes (I'd forgotten all about them) and bought myself another one (I have four now, along with a small gravity feed gun) and one of those small compressors for airbrushes, as it will give me some portability that I don't have with my bigger compressors. I want to have a go at airbrushing dye on leather.

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Good, glad to hear that! Will keep you in thought and prayer as you heal. Ooh la la on the airbrush fun!! I love those too, but so does the Hub! Whenever I get an airbrush gun, compressor, whatever, he ends up with those tools. He paints guitars and trains. So I gave up on that hobby. Better to fix sewing machines for me, a rattle can of paint when I need it works for me. I can steel those from the Mister, he's usually got all the colors I need. He's very supportive like that!

[dikman]

Sounds like a great relationship. I just bought another airbrush, they're so cheap out of China/Hong Kong that I couldn't help myself (about AU$16, including shipping, for a .2mm gravity feed double action!). The quality of these brushes is actually very good, and while an Iwata might be nice it's not worth spending another $150-plus in my opinion.

[MADMAX22]

Speaking of the badges and painting, does anyone know if there is any source for the same or similar style rivets that were used on these old machines. 

[dikman]

  On 4/8/2017 at 1:51 AM, MADMAX22 said:

Speaking of the badges and painting, does anyone know if there is any source for the same or similar style rivets that were used on these old machines. 

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Might need to put this in it's own thread? Better chance of people noticing it. I'd probably make my own - brass rod, with the end peened over to form the head maybe?

[Constabulary]

you sometimes find the rivets / pins on ebay along with the plates... Or just buy some brass nails.

[suzelle]

  On 4/12/2017 at 11:07 PM, dikman said:

Might need to put this in it's own thread? Better chance of people noticing it. I'd probably make my own - brass rod, with the end peened over to form the head maybe?

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Not to put any pressure on you, but how's the restoration going? Have you almost got her all put together? Can't wait to see her all dressed up with the badge and pins and all the parts back together!

[dikman]

This is it, pretty well finished except for fitting the tilt hinges (I don't have the right size bit yet to drill the rebates).

I couldn't get it to sew reliably, it kept missing stitches (hand cranking only). It didn't matter how I tweaked it the hook wouldn't always grab the loop. The needle was an original style that came with it and didn't have a scarf so I changed to an equivalent with a scarf and after re-adjusting the needle bar it worked much better.

After all that effort I'm now thinking maybe I should try and sell it.

[suzelle]

Wow! That looks fantastic! I'm glad you were able to make it sew better than it was doing. If you end up selling it, the new owner will only have to deal with some basic adjustments and/or parts to get it stitching just right. Or, they may even have a machine already to put in it's place! That drop down table is a real plus for anyone using the machine in a small space. Great work!

[suzelle]

By the way, is that a reverse lever I see? If so, do you think it was added after machine was made? Just wondering, because it appears that it's one of those military issued machines, but I don't think it is. The knob that looks like reverse lever looks a lot like my Pfaff's lever. (?) Just curious. If it had reverse, that would of course make it much more desirable for sure! What kind of price would you put on it? Good for you for being able to part with it, I know you said you don't need another machine. They really are fun to fix, aren't they? Whoever gets it will be so happy with it.

Edited April 18, 2017 by suzelle