Chandler 305-64 Table Resto-Mod

[Chayse]

@dikman..i feel ya...mine I call the 'garage'!

So, after working on my main project ( I am trying to get it out of my garage for awhile), I found about an hour to work on the 305. As luck would have it or by mistake...however you look at it...the extension I made for the side is exactly the size I needed to mount the normal foot pedal! Instead of it mounting under the table...which was very uncomfortable and in a bad spot, I moved it out to the extension. Drilled a couple holes and mounted the pedal. Found an old bicycle brake cable I had and attached it to the pedal, then to the presser foot lift on the back of the machine. I was very surprised it went together like it did...guess a blind squirrel can find a nut every once and awhile!!  

It works like a charm and since my control pedal for the motor is 6+ feet, I am not forced to be in front of the machine to sew. I will add some non-slip tape to the pedal just for good measure.

Edited July 24, 2017 by Chayse

[LumpenDoodle2]

Looks like it was meant.   

There you are, high praise from a Scot.

[dikman]

Obviously good design right from the start!

[Chayse]

Thanks @LumpenDoodle2 and @dikman! It has been a long time coming to get it to this point. I will just chalk this one up to being lucky!

[Chayse]

Ok, one last little mod that I stumbled across while surfing the web..it is a much needed help as my vision has began to dwindle...at least with objects close up. This is really nothing new but thought I would throw it up here. 

I stopped by the local auto store on the way home a grabbed a set of LED lights for a car...2, 4" strips containing 4 LEDs each. Each strip will connect to one another and both have 3M adhesive tape for mounting. I merely grabbed an extra 12v wall transformer from one of my old cell phones and hardwired it in...attaching the strip underneath the main part of the head. Here is the result...with the garage lights on and off. Will definitely help and I will plan on installing these on all of my machines...total cost $19.

[LumpenDoodle2]

Great idea, and good quality light. 

I bought 5 metres of sticky backed led lights off ebay.   I've cut and stuck them around my work area, including as you have done, on my machines.

I 've also bought a bundle of fancy 'boy racer' cockpit switches, and plan to rig everything up with individual switches, leading to a 12v battery and solar panel.

[Chayse]

That sounds like a good setup @LumpenDoodle2..oddly enough, my major in college is renewable energy!!! Solar definitely will help you out..very little watt usage with LED's! If you should need any help in setting things up, let me know...can draw you up a schematic and such, if need be.

[LumpenDoodle2]

On 27/07/2017 at 3:00 AM, Chayse said:

That sounds like a good setup @LumpenDoodle2..oddly enough, my major in college is renewable energy!!! Solar definitely will help you out..very little watt usage with LED's! If you should need any help in setting things up, let me know...can draw you up a schematic and such, if need be.

Thanks, always willing to learn from someone more knowledgable.    

I bought a cheap Chinese solar panel, and regulator for my campervan, but it's off getting some repairs just now, so set up the system in my workshop.   It only produces about 2amp at best (30w panel), but I was surprised at how useful that little amount actually is. 

I have my little battery constantly charged, and even charge my phone and tablet off it.  Once the leds are all set up, I feel I'll be doing my little bit to make the world great again.