Singer 52w22 questions

[AlizabethThomas]

Just got my first post bed head, a 52w22 from 1941. I have bobbin questions. The bobbin appears on the parts list as #203208, which Cutex sewing supplies has on Ebay. The sides have the right shape, but my model number isn't listed, and they look too wide. I've messaged them asking for diemnsions. Mine came with a couple prewound paper ones in it, one was still pretty full and measurements are 10.45mm wide x 21.7 mm O.D. I guess the part number is probably correct to the machine since it's right out of the Singer parts list. Just thought I would ask here if anyone knows for sure. One ebay listing with this part number, actual dimensions not listed.

The other question is about needles. I have a pair of needles here that both say "TORR 125" on the shank, and measure 40.5mm with an eye that is open from 34-35mm from the shank, and the scarf is scooped in the 30.5-33mm range. What size is this?

 

The top thread tensioner spring is thicker on the right side than the left. The roller runs closer to the left needle and someone had commented that their double needle set up like this had better tension on the left. Sounded like user error on tension to me, just one of my trivial pursuits I suppose, unless someone here knows if this is a thing.    

Edited April 24, 2021 by AlizabethThomas

[Constabulary]

TORR most likely is the manufacturer TORRINGTON NM 125 is the metric size for approx US size 20.

I assume the heavier spring is because they used it as 1 needle machine. Not really an issue - change the spring if it does not work for you.

Since you are here now - this is the list with the serial number once provided by Gregg from Keystone Sewing (RIP). Not everything has to be shared in FB groups IMO.

Edited April 24, 2021 by Constabulary

[AlizabethThomas]

3 hours ago, Constabulary said:

TORR most likely is the manufacturer TORRINGTON NM 125 is the metric size for approx US size 20.

 

yes- we are looking at a 125 in terms of hole/thread size, now I need to figure out what the other size info is. Last time I played with this was going from 29x3 needles to 29x4 ones in my 29-4 patcher. Seems like those weren't even the right size as I have to grind the shank shorter to eliminate skipped stitches. May have something to do with the downward-shimmed slack in the NB driving lever piston joint geometrically translating to far more than the shim's thickness, but I digress. I am now looking to find the other size info, and welcome the help of anyone who has done this. The shank is 1.72mm, the other missing bit of info from my end.

EDIT: I did a little reading on needle systems, and my head is still spinning, but I found out NM is a system. Are you sure NM is this system? You only stated what manufacturer it probably stood for, then we have the size for thread compatibility, which does appear to be 125 with this size held up to my other 120s. I'll look into systems next time I'm at my leather supplier.

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by AlizabethThomas

[AlizabethThomas]

found it on ISMACS database, FINALLY. that was excruciating looking for the needle size. The type of needle for this machine is *garbled transmission*

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128x4! I mean 128x3! I think!

Edited April 24, 2021 by AlizabethThomas

[Wizcrafts]

Usually/often/most times/sometimes - when a needle "system" comes in a -3 and a -4, the -3 is a round point and the -4 is some type of leather point. The round point is for cloth and synthetics. The other points are for leather. Sometimes I use -4 triangle points when I sew combinations of cloth and leather, like knit cuffs onto leather sleeves with a polyester lining. The tensions seem to balance better than with a same size round point -3 needle. The tri point doesn't fray the lining like a slicing point would.

[AlizabethThomas]

9 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

Usually/often/most times/sometimes - when a needle "system" comes in a -3 and a -4, the -3 is a round point and the -4 is some type of leather point. The round point is for cloth and synthetics. The other points are for leather. Sometimes I use -4 triangle points when I sew combinations of cloth and leather, like knit cuffs onto leather sleeves with a polyester lining. The tensions seem to balance better than with a same size round point -3 needle. The tri point doesn't fray the lining like a slicing point would.

Thanks for the "tips", Wiz! ahahaha! Seriously though, that's good to know about the triangle points. Looks like this might be a difficult learning project on figuring out each chart for compatibility. Once I was reasonably sure I was sure I was sure what system/ type of needle, Ebay only turned up a couple choices, only in one listing I was sure enough to order some Organ needles in a leather point, offered in a two digit size format within the system type. Found the one for my most often used 92 thread. Once I get it sewing right on those, I'll order some more in other sizes and types. I never disliked the way the standard normal round point sews on the thin to medium leather I've used, perhaps there are advantages to leather point I have been overlooking. I got some aggressive chisel point leather needles one time but I think they were too big and I was sewing some chrome tan as toggle gussets on some nylon messenger bags I was making and didn't like the holes. But I'm learning a lot more now. 

[AlizabethThomas]

Wiz, the Organ needles on Ebay, the main listing I could find for this... 128 system, I guess it is... has Regular point needles in #16-#22 in even numbers, plus a #21 in each type, regular and leather point. Listed for 21w, 11w, and 51w, I have my fingers crossed the 52w is an extension of the 51w series, as there is not another listing with my machine listed. But since I got it sewing with this needle and it matches the measurements of that number, I should be good.

[DonInReno]

The thread exchange has a list of machines and their needles - it looks like they have some information on your machine - although somewhat cryptic.  :-) 

[DonInReno]

Organ’s catalog also has some interesting trivia if you haven’t thumbed through the pdf yet.

https://organ-needles.com/english/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2104_organ_catalog_HP.pdf

 

[AlizabethThomas]

Wanted to share the restoration results, and show the half of the hinge that I have missing it's tabletop counterparts. Hoping one of the regulars can tell me who to ask or how to acquire a set of these hinges. I might have to fabricate some if I can't find them quickly, the next step is to route the tabletop for the head. Also, I guess I could put it off a little while just by making only enough room for these parts of the hinge to clear for now, then route out to full size later when I have the parts. I have fit the bobbins inside the cases, they're taller than the prewounds that were inside, but the bobbin cases still snap on effortlessly. I also got the needles but I haven't tried them I only just got it to this point now after a full day of cleaning up masked edges and careful assembly of hardware.