VSMS: Rewiring an old Singer foot controller ?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida - Mountainous Maine
Posts: 949
Hey Vintage Machine enthusiasts. Got a question.
My $10 featherweight was not getting power. Took her to the sew shop, swapped out my cord/foot controller for one of theirs. Worked fine! So... I bought a double lead, 3 prong replacement cord.
Before I rewire anything.... should I consider getting a new foot pedal? (Like one of the ones that doesn't heat up when you use it!)? Or should I just use the old bakelite push button controller that I have? That old controller will slide onto the FW's box lid holder. But a new controller won't dissapate the heat like the old Singer controllers do. I plan on using this machine on trips, classes, for fun, piecing quilts and sewing doll clothing, etc. It won't be my sewing room 'go to' machine.
Recommendations?
My $10 featherweight was not getting power. Took her to the sew shop, swapped out my cord/foot controller for one of theirs. Worked fine! So... I bought a double lead, 3 prong replacement cord.
Before I rewire anything.... should I consider getting a new foot pedal? (Like one of the ones that doesn't heat up when you use it!)? Or should I just use the old bakelite push button controller that I have? That old controller will slide onto the FW's box lid holder. But a new controller won't dissapate the heat like the old Singer controllers do. I plan on using this machine on trips, classes, for fun, piecing quilts and sewing doll clothing, etc. It won't be my sewing room 'go to' machine.
Recommendations?
#2
Oooohhh, how appropriate for me too, I can't wait for the answer. I've got a japanese 15 that needs a new foot pedal after we replaced the cord, the foot pedal keeps getting really hot, so I'm interested in this topic. We were planning on just getting a new foot (I don't care if it's "authentic" looking). Best of luck :)
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: WHERE THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES
Posts: 9,256
Originally Posted by kwendt
Hey Vintage Machine enthusiasts. Got a question.
My $10 featherweight was not getting power. Took her to the sew shop, swapped out my cord/foot controller for one of theirs. Worked fine! So... I bought a double lead, 3 prong replacement cord.
Before I rewire anything.... should I consider getting a new foot pedal? (Like one of the ones that doesn't heat up when you use it!)? Or should I just use the old bakelite push button controller that I have? That old controller will slide onto the FW's box lid holder. But a new controller won't dissapate the heat like the old Singer controllers do. I plan on using this machine on trips, classes, for fun, piecing quilts and sewing doll clothing, etc. It won't be my sewing room 'go to' machine.
Recommendations?
My $10 featherweight was not getting power. Took her to the sew shop, swapped out my cord/foot controller for one of theirs. Worked fine! So... I bought a double lead, 3 prong replacement cord.
Before I rewire anything.... should I consider getting a new foot pedal? (Like one of the ones that doesn't heat up when you use it!)? Or should I just use the old bakelite push button controller that I have? That old controller will slide onto the FW's box lid holder. But a new controller won't dissapate the heat like the old Singer controllers do. I plan on using this machine on trips, classes, for fun, piecing quilts and sewing doll clothing, etc. It won't be my sewing room 'go to' machine.
Recommendations?
Billy will tell you;an expert :)
#4
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida - Mountainous Maine
Posts: 949
Originally Posted by luvnquilt
Oooohhh, how appropriate for me too, I can't wait for the answer. I've got a japanese 15 that needs a new foot pedal after we replaced the cord, the foot pedal keeps getting really hot, so I'm interested in this topic. We were planning on just getting a new foot (I don't care if it's "authentic" looking). Best of luck :)
I was told/shown this a while ago, and changed my own habits... it does help. Shur 'nuff! I forget where I saw it, one of the vintage parts places on the web.... had a .pdf about how to use the old Singer knobby foot controllers correctly. Informative to say the least!
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida - Mountainous Maine
Posts: 949
Originally Posted by dreamer2009
Originally Posted by kwendt
Hey Vintage Machine enthusiasts. Got a question.
My $10 featherweight was not getting power. Took her to the sew shop, swapped out my cord/foot controller for one of theirs. Worked fine! So... I bought a double lead, 3 prong replacement cord.
Before I rewire anything.... should I consider getting a new foot pedal? (Like one of the ones that doesn't heat up when you use it!)? Or should I just use the old bakelite push button controller that I have? That old controller will slide onto the FW's box lid holder. But a new controller won't dissapate the heat like the old Singer controllers do. I plan on using this machine on trips, classes, for fun, piecing quilts and sewing doll clothing, etc. It won't be my sewing room 'go to' machine.
Recommendations?
My $10 featherweight was not getting power. Took her to the sew shop, swapped out my cord/foot controller for one of theirs. Worked fine! So... I bought a double lead, 3 prong replacement cord.
Before I rewire anything.... should I consider getting a new foot pedal? (Like one of the ones that doesn't heat up when you use it!)? Or should I just use the old bakelite push button controller that I have? That old controller will slide onto the FW's box lid holder. But a new controller won't dissapate the heat like the old Singer controllers do. I plan on using this machine on trips, classes, for fun, piecing quilts and sewing doll clothing, etc. It won't be my sewing room 'go to' machine.
Recommendations?
Billy will tell you;an expert :)
#6
KWendt - thanks for that tidbit, It seems possible that I'm resting my foot on the button. I haven't been able to date the machine but the foot pedal is the same as my featherweight with the button on it. I think it's bakelite. I will watch myself when I sew with the machine again, making sure I'm not resting my foot, before I jump into replacing it.
#7
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida - Mountainous Maine
Posts: 949
Originally Posted by luvnquilt
KWendt - thanks for that tidbit, It seems possible that I'm resting my foot on the button. I haven't been able to date the machine but the foot pedal is the same as my featherweight with the button on it. I think it's bakelite. I will watch myself when I sew with the machine again, making sure I'm not resting my foot, before I jump into replacing it.
This link is about the 400 class machines. But if you go about 1/2 way down, you'll see her directions for using the button controller. Also, for those using top hat Singer cams, she has a chart for those as well. Great site, poke around! Here's the link:
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/...ne-review.aspx
#8
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Thanks for the link kewndt!
I just bought a Featherweight, and am looking into getting it into tip top shape. My controller has some issues too, and I'd like to rewire it, so I'm very interested in opinions on how hard/easy it is to do. I'd like to keep it as "original" as possible.
I'm feeling rather brave since converting an old swag light fixture to standard and installing it myself in my dining room!
Thanks!
PS: I did find this on the site kewndt provided:
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/11/...r-control.aspx
I just bought a Featherweight, and am looking into getting it into tip top shape. My controller has some issues too, and I'd like to rewire it, so I'm very interested in opinions on how hard/easy it is to do. I'd like to keep it as "original" as possible.
I'm feeling rather brave since converting an old swag light fixture to standard and installing it myself in my dining room!
Thanks!
PS: I did find this on the site kewndt provided:
http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/11/...r-control.aspx
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