Singer 20U and Premier Chainstitch machine question

[cdthayer]

2 hours ago, mikesc said:

20us.....you use the knee lift to change the "bight" ( the width of the zig-zag ) by moving the knee lift action bar that is underneath the table  so that it is under the rod which allows you to control the bight dynamically while you are sewing ( without stopping )

My 1990s Singer 20U33 has the knee lift function to change the bight on the fly (two little flappers underneath the base and you set your knee lift to activate one or the other), but my older 1960s Singer 20U treadle machine doesn't have that feature. It only has the one flapper to raise the presser foot.

CD in Oklahoma

[mikesc]

Yes, the older ones don't have it..My 20U doesn't say 20U 33, just 20U, never been able to find out why, nor how old it is..So I don't know which was the year that they bought that feature in..Could be that some 20Us have it and others don't , and that all 20U33 models do.

Mine has the twin spool stand that folds up from that back of the machine, and is pale blue, with a whitish stripe with 20U ( no 33 ) the older ones that I have seen , have a single horizontal spool holder mounted on the top of the machine. The bight is 9mm from side to side ( some are smaller )..the harp is 3/4 of standard industrial, two different sets of feed dogs, and two different feed dog plates.The embroidery plate didn't come with it, I made one. They also work pretty well for sewing neoprene, I know people who use them for free form embroidery artwork, and Irish dance motif embroidery ( the much older 107W100 and especially the 107W102 are ideal for embroidery, but very very sought after and cost a great deal more when one can find them ) ..I'd have the use for an older Neechi cast iron triple stitch zig -zag machine too..Another "hens teeth" item

I know that you have put a few machines on treadles that didn't originally have them, was your 20U original with a treadle, or was that a conversion ?

[cdthayer]

I haven’t ever figured out what the sub-model number on my older 20U is either.  I think I may have it narrowed down to either a 20U11 or a 20U13, but that’s only a guess.  It has the horizontal spool pin on top and came to me with only the zigzag foot and needle plate.  It was operated electric in a K-leg power stand with a white Singer top and gray base, and powered by a 110VAC Alphasew clutch motor that I put a 1.5” pulley on (round leather belting) and am using it to power a 1936 Singer 95-40 dedicated to denim jeans hemming and some zipper work on woven fabrics.

I converted the 20U to treadle operation by setting it in an early Singer Industrial Convertible Stand (both small clutch motor power and 16” flywheel. The pitman rod is 2-piece with a coupling nut to switch between electric and flywheel.), an old butcher block top, and swapping a spoked balance wheel onto it from a Singer 66-4, then connecting the pulleys with round leather belting.

CD in Oklahoma

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by cdthayer
Added photo.

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

16 hours ago, DrmCa said:

And when you will get sick of the short arm and weak take up lever of the 20U, start saving money for a Juki LZ.

Juki LZ-2280A is not a heavier capacity machine in any way than the Singer 20U.  Both are for garment or textile work and threads.

As for the take up mechanism, I can't think of a better example of a crappy take up design than what's found on a Juki LZ-2280A.  There maybe someone out there who likes the rotary take up on this or any other machine like the Singer 400W, but I have not found one operator or mechanic yet who favors this over a traditional take up lever arm.  

[SilverForgeStudio]

OK so went to get the patcher and 20U today... Bummer news- the fellow sold both for cash before I arrived. The Premier was not operational and had a crack in the housing casting- Im not set up to braze and repair these- he said the K-Table fell over after he took pics- and he didnt "see" any damage... AAARRRGH! 

He just wanted the cash and grab easy sell- Im certainly glad the other guys got a steal (Patcher AND 20U sold TOGETHER for 500 cash).

I did get some sailcloth and heavy canvas. All was not lost- but DANG I HATE GETTING LIED TO! OK- rant over... Thanks for the assistance guys!

Im trying to upgrade my game... the search continues! Hopefully this thread will help someone in the future! GREAT INFO