ArchaicArcane

That's a great job you did! I think it was 2 summers ago now, I made some boxes based on the dimensions of the existing case bottoms. I just used plywood offcuts and I think it was a ripped 2x4 for where the hinges mounted. I don't throw anything out, so somewhere around here I'll have written dimensions of the original cases if anyone wants them. For the bottom, I ended up putting a piece of plywood on, then using the belt sander to "round" the edges a little so that the bottom didn't transition as noticeably from the vertical pieces as it otherwise would have. It was a hack job, but for a gal who's never taken shop or anything, and learns by the seat of her pants, I was thrilled when the bases didn't self destruct in 2 years and counting.

Rodney

Thanks Tammi. Can you post a picture of yours? It would be one more idea for people to use.
Rodney

ArchaicArcane

Hey Rodney, I really didn't forget about this - life got in the way. Our roof sprung a leak all over my office wall last Thursday and I've been in panic roofing mode since. We're almost half done, but it's raining today, so I have time to take and post pics.

Let's see how much I can remember about these boxes.

The "cushions" for the machines are just pieces of the 2x2 antifatigue mats you can buy everywhere.

I bought forstner bits for this but I don't recall atm what size I used for the small ones, I can measure though, or check the garage to see which bits have the pretty knocked off them.

I started out with the plastic pieces (you can see one on the smaller box) to secure the machines, but they snap too easily. I had one snap while the machine was in it, luckily I was using the hinges that day, so it just flopped down instead of hitting me.

The larger box is the dimensions of the common case you see some Singers in but more often a clone. It's the same size because I was going to replace a really hammered one that I had here with my 15-91 in it but I ended up selling the 15-91 instead.

The smaller box is a representation of the lemongrass and burgundy Singer boxes.

Originally, I'd thought I'd use these mostly to help service the loose heads, but I realised that when I tilted them back, the case would bite me, so I started leaving the machines loose on my turntable instead.

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ETA: Tools used would have been Hammer, el cheapo Black and Decker belt sander, table saw, chop saw (for the machine supports), forstner bits and a drill.

Rodney

Those cases are nicely done. If you covered them with an appropriate material they would look original.
The corner blocks are a nice way to get around more complicated joints and give the plywood a lot more strength than otherwise too. The rubber pads for the corners are a nice touch.
Rodney

ArchaicArcane

Thanks Rodney. I can't really take any credit for the design though. I had 2 rough cases that I was able to reverse engineer without disassembling and copy them pretty much as they were. They were really a proof of concept. I think if I were to make another one, it would be out of lumber, like the ones you made. These are nice for utility work, but most of my need for cases these days is for display.

I have photos of having glued and clamped these boxes. Then I nailed them together once the glue was dry. I was briefly looking for Tolex for exactly the reason you mention. The corner blocks let me get around some of the inaccuracy of my gluing job, and act as a support at the same time.

singerguy

here's another blog/tutorial i found online on SINGER SEWING MACHINE WOOD BASE .

Rodney

Those are some nice bases. I love the idea of the mirror clip and heatshrink for the hold down.
Rodney

singerguy

they are. i am also in the process of making a base for my 15-88 and i will combine all these ideas - from your tutorial and others. thanks for the tips.

Glenn

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