Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Just wondering if anyone has any tips for the use of it. One hell of a machine, wouldn't like to get my fingers in the way of the needle! Hopefully now I can get stuff finished quicker, 3 days worth of hand sewing gets painful!! Cheers Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Hi Dave, The 45K is a good machine, solid and relaible. I don't know how experienced you are with this kind of thing, so forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir. As with all machines, you'll need to test sew a piece of scrap before you sew a work piece to be sure your adjustments are OK. Mine went out of adjustment fairly easily. It always needed a tweak when changing thickness of the leather being sewn. This is true of lots of machines. I would imagine it's hooked up to an electric motor. If this is the case, spend some time getting used to the clutch and finding the 'biting point'. I spent days just sewing different bits of scrap to get used to the machine. As you noted, it can be a beast. It won't notice sewing right through your finger. I liked my 45K and it was a reliable workhorse capable of handling up to half an inch of leather without any trouble. There's an occasional missed-stitch issue, sometimes attributed to this model. If the groove in the needle faces straight forward, toward the operator, the bobbin assembly can sometimes miss picking it up. If you turn the needle clockwise a bit, say 40 degrees, it should help stop this. Hope some of this of use to you. Cheers, Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Many thanks for your reply. I have the groove in the needle facing left so all seems well at the moment. I'm just trying to get the stitch length correct, at the moment it varies from almost cutting the leather to 4-5mm stitches!! Also need to get some thread lock, the pivot nut for the lifting of the foot keeps coming loose!! Think I'll have to practice, practice, practice!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 11, 2009 The needle position sounds good. It was something I had to pick up, but it really works. Superglue works as well as threadlock, just be sure both parts are well oiled so the glue doesn't bond for good, just fills the gaps between the threads. I use this trick a lot. Is the stitch length knob on the front of the body, to the right at the back? Kind of a screw down knob over a vertical slot? Mine was a 45K58 which had this arrangement. I found the knob would shift slightly with the vibration of the machine and the stitch length would alter by itself. Bear in mind that the adjustment increment is very fine and a slight movement of the knob could translate as a huge difference in stitch length. Cheers, Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Hi, mine being the 48 has no stitch adjustment screw or knob, it's got the slot for it though, not sure if the mechanism is there for it though. It's a strange machine (to me) there is no auto feed of the material so I presume this is what determines the stitch length. I'll post a picture when I get round to it, got a bit of a bargain to say the least. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Dave, There must be a feed mechanism for the material. Mine had 'feed dogs' (kind of clawed feet) under the material. I'd be interested to see pics of the machine. I guess it mught be able to be fitted with a stitch adjustment mechansim. Hmmmmm.......... What kind of a bargain, if you don't mind me asking? Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Hi,mine being the 48 has no stitch adjustment screw or knob, it's got the slot for it though, not sure if the mechanism is there for it though. It's a strange machine (to me) there is no auto feed of the material so I presume this is what determines the stitch length. I'll post a picture when I get round to it, got a bit of a bargain to say the least. Dave I think the one you have is just for darning bags or horse rugs etc. You just move the material around yourself, no feed! Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Thats probably the one. Got the machine & table with motor for a princel sum of .......£97!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Dave, Well, you can't go wrong for that kind of money. I sold my 45K about 8 weeks ago for over £600.00 Since they are basically the same chassis, with different configurations and features, I wonder if it's possible to add a stitch regulator/feed mech of some kind. What do you think Tony? Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Forgot to add, also got 4 24x60 bridle butts with it too!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveBrambley Report post Posted January 11, 2009 (edited) Dave,Well, you can't go wrong for that kind of money. I sold my 45K about 8 weeks ago for over £600.00 Since they are basically the same chassis, with different configurations and features, I wonder if it's possible to add a stitch regulator/feed mech of some kind. What do you think Tony? Karl Hi Karl, Dave I don't know what Tony thinks, but , I suspect that converting (even if it is possible) a 45K48 darning (basting?) machine would cost more than the machine was worth, even if you could get the parts, which I doubt. I don't think that this particular 45K sub class was really intended for sewing leather. Steve Edited January 11, 2009 by SteveBrambley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted January 11, 2009 Hi Karl, DaveI don't know what Tony thinks, but , I suspect that converting (even if it is possible) a 45K darning (basting?) machine would cost more than the machine was worth, even if you could get the parts, which I doubt. Steve Going by what machine parts cost, I don't think it would be cheap! A friend of mine had one years ago for darning small tears in horse rugs and it was good for that. In the days of hessian bags it was used for patching up grain bags. This is what it was designed to do.. Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveBrambley Report post Posted January 11, 2009 (edited) I just had a look on the Singer site and there is a parts list for the 45K48, which may help. It also confirms that the machines were intended for darning bags. The list is at: http://parts.singerco.com/IPpartCharts/45K48.pdf Steve Edited January 11, 2009 by SteveBrambley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torrbuidhe Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Hi Dave, is this the machine you got; ebay #290286144411 in East Lothian? I did keep an eye on that one, I might even have bid on it if it wasn't so far away If you can slow it right down with a speed reducer that should make it easier to get an even stitch length. The machine on ebay has one of those old fashioned clutches built into the balance wheel, I don't how that might affect things. Presumably a darning machine with no feed dogs and a hopping foot should hardly make any marks on the leather you sew. Neil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Hi, thats the one, one hell of a drive up the 68 to get it!! I've disconnected the clutch arm, well, given it loads of freeplay. Fingers crossed I should be able to get the bits for the stitch adjuster from Walsall, the bloke assures me he has loads of spares. I don't mind paying a bit for the spares, paid next to nowt for the machine so can get it just how I want it. Doesn't look too difficult to fit the lower dogs either. Seriously heavy needle in it, might have to browse for some finer ones. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Dave, Looking through the parts list, there seems to be an option for stitch adjustment mechanism and feed dogs and plate. It seems it may be possible to upgrade the machine. Since yours has the open slot for the stitchlength regulator, it may have had one at some point.... I don't know really, I'm making this up I'd be interested to see if it's possible....... Cheers, Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveBrambley Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Dave,Looking through the parts list, there seems to be an option for stitch adjustment mechanism and feed dogs and plate. It seems it may be possible to upgrade the machine. Since yours has the open slot for the stitchlength regulator, it may have had one at some point.... I don't know really, I'm making this up I'd be interested to see if it's possible....... Cheers, Karl Hi Karl, I think you could be right! I really didn't think that it would be possible to convert this machine, but it appears that I was wrong! Those old Singer guys never fail to amaze me in how versatile they made their machines! If the parts shown in the list are still available, I shouldn't think it would be too much of a job to fit them. Dave, I will be really interested to see how you get on with the conversion! Singer made another, later, version of the darning machine, the 45K76. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badger Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Hey Steve, Yes, they were pretty versatile. Interesting, isn't it? I love stuff like this. Dave, one guy I know of who knows all about Singer 45Ks is Dave Flint. He rebuilds loads of them every year, I bought mine from him. Ray Hatley lives in the same town as he does. I know I had Dave Flint's number somewhere but can't lay my hands on it, but I bet Ray has it. Calling UKRay, come in UKRay..... Karl Karl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveBrambley Report post Posted January 13, 2009 (edited) Hey Steve,Yes, they were pretty versatile. Interesting, isn't it? I love stuff like this. Dave, one guy I know of who knows all about Singer 45Ks is Dave Flint. He rebuilds loads of them every year, I bought mine from him. Ray Hatley lives in the same town as he does. I know I had Dave Flint's number somewhere but can't lay my hands on it, but I bet Ray has it. Calling UKRay, come in UKRay..... Karl Hi Karl, Dave, If Ray isn't about (I think he's been having problems with his PC), David Flints number is: 01948 780593 Try to phone after 5pm as I find this is the best time to try and catch him at home. Steve Edited January 13, 2009 by SteveBrambley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted January 16, 2009 Just a quick update. Posted the details & pics down to Hartley's & now currently awaiting a response. One tip I have found is to remove the leather ring on the clutch/drivewheel on the table then soak it in degreaser to get he oil off of it & he presto, loads more pedal control & more force from the motor. Will keep you posted. Much apprecited for the number, I'll give him a call next week. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
