chrisash Report post Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) I have just brought a singer 29k for £95 so seemed like a good buy and far cheaper than ebay prices Main use will be on belts as pattern so nothing extra tough Been wondering about thread , most posts indicate tex92 or even Tex 138 bonded nylon or polyester, but i was wondering what thread they used prior to the nylon and polyester being available both material and size Being delivered later today so will respond with images then Edited August 14, 2018 by chrisash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 14, 2018 92 or at max. 138 makes sense. However - I have seen Adler 30-1 setup for 207 thread (they are using the same shuttle as the 29K so no big difference technically) but it depends on the needle plate (needle hole in particular) and if the thread hole in the shuttle is wide enough. BUT 207 really make no sense for these machines because of the very small capacity of the bobbin. These machines are designed for repair work and not for producing leather goods. Prior polyester and nylon cotton and linen thread have been used. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted August 14, 2018 They used really thin 3 cord glazed linen thread. I have some of this thread in my shop on a mini spool. It is thinner than the 3 cord linen thread from Barbour. I'm guessing between #69 and #92 in diameter. Could be Tex 80. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 14, 2018 OK here is the images, its a 29K53 model, only thing that seems to be missing is the needles so any help there would be appreciated as old posts give various answers the bobbin looks very small and I cannot tell what spare ones to buy, is there a way to tell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 14, 2018 Not a too bad choice - the 29K5x series is very similar to the later 29K7x series - major difference it the gear box - yours has a fixed horn and "drop out" gear box with very fine teeth pinions - no replacement parts are available for this gear box, the pinions of the 29K7x series DO NOT FIT (so be careful when you remove the gear box for cleaning - do not loose or damage the pinions!!!). Compared with the 29K51 your machine has a slightly narrower horn tip - everything else is the same as on the 29K51. The head is almost the same as from the 29K7x series and almost all parts for the head are available from College Sewing in the UK. Only difference that I recall is that the needle bar driving lever is pinned on your machine - the 29K7x series levers are not pinned... that's at least what I recall. You can get the bobbins from College sewing too: https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/store/Singer29K,29USewingMachineParts If you cannot find a manual you can use the 29K71 manual - you will notice the difference but threading, bobbin winding and so forth are all the same. Singer 29K71, 29K72, 29K73.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 14, 2018 regarding needle - you can use 29x3 / 29x4 (same as 332) - or - 135x16 / 135x17 needles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Hi Constabulary That's a great help, it looks like i have quite a lot to do, as expected it was bone dry but with a good oiling it runs very smooth, apparently it came from a shoe repairer of two generations who retired and it looks like its been well looked after as the old guys used to do even a leather patch under the foot. I am also under first option to buy his tools if his son does not want them. if it happens then i will take my pick and then offer the rest on this forum Thanks once again, it was built in 1924 only 22 years before me PS what size 29x4 do you recommend for ~92 or ~138 polyester/nylon I assume 4 is leather point Edited August 14, 2018 by chrisash added needle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 14, 2018 Toledo sewing machines has a nice needle / thread chart: https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 14, 2018 Gone with the 29x4 19, 22 for the #92 & #138 Thanks again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt S Report post Posted August 14, 2018 Nice machine @chrisash -- she's a beaut. I'm looking forward to seeing her run! V sizes like 92 or 138 aren't really used much in the UK. Most thread is sold by TKT number. The chart Constabulary linked to is really great. V92 is equivalent to TKT30 and V138 is equivalent to TKT20. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 14, 2018 Thanks matt I have found this manual Manuel-instructions-Singer-29K51.htm but its in French also a few instruction and parts ones ones but no repair type on the 29 does anyone know any Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evo160K Report post Posted August 15, 2018 29K53 Parts Manual http://dixiesewingmachine.tzo.com/MANUALS/SINGERPARTS1/29K51,K53,K55,K56.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 15, 2018 (edited) Thanks Evo I do have that parts list and also includes how to thread the machine and change the bobbin , but that's about it. Just nothing which shows what all the parts do or even names them, I think there is a operating manual or maintenance manual for the 29K but have been unable to find it online, there was some links on the forum many years ago but they are now dead ends Also what do these three items control Edited August 15, 2018 by chrisash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evo160K Report post Posted August 15, 2018 Your welcome. Did you notice the small, numerical list of the parts with names, it may help identify what some parts do.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 15, 2018 (edited) Have you noticed the PDF manual I have linked in post # 5 Here it is again: 14 hours ago, Constabulary said: Singer 29K71, 29K72, 29K73.pdf If you can´t download it the problem is probably your "internet device". I can download it to my PC - are you using a cell phone / smartphone? #1 is for adjusting the presser foot hight depending on the material thickness you want to sew. #2 is for adjusting the top thread tension #3 is for locking the revolving handles Edited August 15, 2018 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 15, 2018 Many thanks The first part was missing on the one i obtained on the web, is there any more info you know of as that still leaves many adjustments not mentioned and dont think there is anyone local with one i can ask. have not got the needles delivered yet so unable to see how it sews with original settings but bobbin thread feels like #69 so crossed fingers i can work from there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 16, 2018 Sorry to be a pain but another question Looking at getting some spare bobbins and found massive difference between onlne and College in prices Shuttle hook varies from £27.9 at College to £9.89 online including 10 bobbins I know some online bits are crap and others OK, question is if you use parts from the same supplier say either college or online has anyone found a problem regarding hooks and bobbins if you get my meaning AS all the singers seem to have the K in the code were they all made in the UK and if so why as I thought Singer was a american company Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) There are a few 29 (w/o K) which were made in the US. Singer had factories all over the world, F.I. German machines had a D until 1945 (factory then disassembled by the Russians) D for Deutschland and later from the 1950´s they used a G for Germany (Made in Karlsruhe) US machines either do not have a letter suffix or have W for the former Wheeler and Wilson plant. K suffix is for the Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland Singer factory. Lots of history.... You never know what you get from China you may have luck or not - I have ordered all my restoration bits from College Sewing and I´m quite pleased. Their 29K shuttles and shuttle carrier are excellent - made by TOWA in Japan http://www.towa-mfg.co.jp/ Cheap prices are always tempting - most likely I would have ordered from China too but back then these parts where not available directly from China / on Ebay. But as I said before - the parts from CS are good, the only bad 29K part I had was the ball tip spring for the shuttle carrier. But the TOWA shuttle carrier came with a good spring! Edited August 16, 2018 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 16, 2018 Thanks that's great, got the needles today and she sews ok just needs a bit of adjustment to the tensions and the foot as that digs in leaving a very deep imprint, the teeth seem extra sharp to touch. I have the top tension looked off and the bottom tension quite tight but still get the knots showing at the top. the bottom seems to bind if i try to tension it any more which may be because the spring is very old and not used in years or maybe that tension on the big bar but no knowledge of really how that affects things. only using tex 40 at present should get some 96 tomorrow I will just buy from College , I just want a backup hook and some bobbins, anything else you think worthwhile buying as spares, made sure i got two threaders as guaranteed i will either loose or badly bend one at some time Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 16, 2018 Hi Getting there 2 x 1.5 mm veg tan with tex 40 bonded nylonwith size 19 needles, guess size 18 might be better for this thin thread, I think its now just fine tuning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted August 18, 2018 Chrisash, The 29K series 29K51-56 of which your machine is one has very small teeth on the drive and following pinions as well as the drive rack underneath. These parts are critical because there are no replacement parts that I know of anywhere. I have some original pinion and a rack that are unused. The reason, to back engineer them to have them made which is a future project. The extra small teeth on the gears and racks raise the risk of wear and possibility of chipping so treat the ones you have on your machine with extra care. Just my two cents! glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 18, 2018 Many thanks for the information, can you supply the numbers of the bits you mention so i can look this side of the pond Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted August 18, 2018 (edited) Parts list for your machine: SINGER 29K51,29k56.pdf Edited August 18, 2018 by Constabulary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted August 18, 2018 Chrisash, The 29K series 29K51-56 of which your machine is one has very small teeth on the drive and following pinions as well as the drive rack underneath. These parts are critical because there are no replacement parts that I know of anywhere. I have some original pinion and a rack that are unused. The reason, to back engineer them to have them made which is a future project. The extra small teeth on the gears and racks raise the risk of wear and possibility of chipping so treat the ones you have on your machine with extra care. Just my two cents! glenn Constabulary, thanks for the parts list. glenn Thanks for the Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted August 19, 2018 Shoepatcher When you get them made, please put me down for a set, fantastic you have a virgin set , so copies will be made from original measurements rather than half worn out ones Guess you mean parts, 82067, 82104, 82069, 82108, 82106, 82071. Failing that can you convert to any of the other versions if it breaks chris@cjashdown.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
