Help! I'm reaching the end of my tether!

[Constabulary]

29K3 has the leaf spring on the backside, the internal helical spring came out with the 29K5x series and all later 29K machines have this helical spring too and most of the head parts of the 29K5x and later ("up to date") 29K models are interchangeable.

[chrisash]

Thats interesting, can you say what parts are different between the 5 series and the 7 series as i understand that many parts for the 5 series are now unavailable

Edited December 14, 2018 by chrisash

[Constabulary]

As I said almost all head parts are interchangeable (with head I mean the "cylinder" cast iron part which is attached with 4 screws to the body - not speaking of the machine body or gear box). Difference that I recall between K51 and K71 head is that the lifting lever on the K51 is pinned whereas the K71 is just clamped and the lifting lever adjusting lever is a bit different.

You sometimes have to read a bit between the lines when it comes to 29K patchers...

Reg. unavailable parts - the gear box parts (racks, pinions) of the 29K5x are no longer available - their pinions are a lot smaller (29K patchers had at least 3 different size gear box pinions - depending on the subclass). But I know someone who is planing to make new pinions for the 29K5x machines but that may still take some time... I fortunately have a few spare pinions for the 29K5x series but they are not for sale.

The 29K patcher series have changed a lot over the years (or decades). If you want to buy a 29K patcher I would recommend the later models 29K70 - 29K73 because all parts are available (aftermarket made in China), followed by the 29K6x series (gear box parts are the same and just very minor difference in the overall parts compared to the 29K7x series) then followed by the 29K5x series because the "head parts" are almost identical with the 29K7x series. Other than that I would not really recommend buying a 29K model except it is really cheap and you do not have much expectations. But as always it depends on the overall condition... An early 29K can be nice too but it´s all about the wear parts - JFTC you need some - maybe - one day...

This is just my opinion based on the availability of parts for a long term use of the machines.

[Constabulary]

@ Yetibelle

When I look at your pictures it seems there is a wrong part on your machine - the "vibrating presser lifting lever" appears to be too long. I guess its from a different / earlier 29K model. See big red arrow I added. Or it is just the angle... not sure...

Edited December 14, 2018 by Constabulary

[shoepatcher]

 

A 29K3 is a lot like a 29-4 in that it has a solid horn.  The problem with these machines is the area in the horn around the bobbin case wears and the only way to fix it was an insert put into the bobbin case area that took up the wear.  I looked at doing this years ago and then the clones came out so why bother.  The other problem as Folker mentioned was this:  there was no adjustments to take up the wear on the parts.  Once they wore, you had to replace them.  With Pilgrim Shoe no longer in business, the source for parts for these early model machines has dried up i.e., pinions, needle plates, screws, etc. 

glenn

[jimi]

Cymro, it would help if you could send a short video or some pictures of your 29k Trex version cycling over?? 

[Northmount]

This supplier has 29-4 used parts for sale.  It may be worth contacting them to see if they have any 29-3 parts. http://horsenharness.com/singers29-4.html

They are of course across the pond (Salem Ohio) from the OP.  Contact jannaomi@cboss.com

Tom

[jimi]

26 minutes ago, Northmount said:

This supplier has 29-4 used parts for sale.

 No offense, but they must be taking psychotropic pancakes for breakfast with these prices!!! Used Parts!!!

[chrisash]

May be cheaper than ditching the machine as US, value is dependant on your need with that supplier, you can always sell the dead machine to a fisherman to use as a anchor

I had a friend in Norfolk UK who's father brought a lot of Spitfire and Hurricane spares at the end of the War, when the  restorers became big business in the 1990's they complained about his prices yet charged then over £1,000,000 for the restored aircraft, he told them he had stored the parts for 50 years with no income, how do you value that

[Cymro29k3]

On 13/12/2018 at 7:09 AM, DJole said:

I don't know anything about sewing machines, but I know a bit about Gwynedd -- I spent a summer in Wales back in 1988, learning Welsh down in Lampeter. I took a bank holiday to visit up north (Caernarvon, Bangor, Snowdonia, a bit of Ynys Mon as well) -- a lovely place!
Hope some of the machine gurus here can help your blue beauty work again. Pob lwc!

Diolch gyfaill