diamondee

I purchased this sewing machine over the summer, just got it out to try it out, well don't ya know, the thing I thought was a foot pedal looks like it has heating coils in it and sits on its side (?) I am hoping I can get the pics to load. I am wondering if anyone knows what this could be.

JabezRose

Clueless here, but want to keep up with the conversation to find out what it is. What kind of machine did you get?

J Miller

Yes that is the foot controller. Some of the older ones were made like that. There will be a part that moves and some feet that will tell you which way to set it on the floor.
The older ones worked by resistance. When the pedal was all the way up there was no connection, as you pushed the pedal or lever down the resistance went from high which gave you low speed, to low or none which gave you high speed.

So that is your throttle.

Joe

mighty

Very interesting, I have never seen one like this before.

Caroline S

Learn and see something new every day. Sure would like to know what sewing machine it goes with.

diamondee

Thanks Joe,
Do you have an idea why there would be coils inside the black pedal?

irishrose

I have one, too, but I think it's history. The last time it was used, it stopped working and smelled like burned plastic. The machine is much prettier than this pic. I scraped off that r/w/b emblem, but it still needs cleaning. The faceplate and the turquoise trim are an Art Deco pattern. [ATTACH=CONFIG]318991[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]318992[/ATTACH]

J Miller

If I'm thinking along the same lines as you, the coils are part of the electrical system. They are conductors of a sort.

My Kenmore has the same foot controller. You put it on the floor with the feed down and the large vented part upright. Then push up and down on the lever on the side. Works just fine.

Joe

J Miller

irishrose,

Don't condemn your foot controller yet. As I look at your pictures I see some swelling and deterioration of the cord. The old foot controllers can be taken apart and rewired. Sometimes the cord ends are soldered, but usually they are attached with screws or nuts.

The old cords used in the 40s and 50s and probably earlier is insulated with latex rubber. It is prone to turning soft and chemically deteriorating. So check your wiring first.

I just rewired a Singer 66-18 that had cord so bad it looked as if the insulation was burned. But it was just rotted from age and use.
Also A LOT of electrical cord I've seen on these old machines contains aluminum wire. This was good when new, but with age and use it deteriorates as well. I replace it as fast as I can.


Joe

diamondee

[ATTACH=CONFIG]321590[/ATTACH]Caroline S This is the machine I got over the summer. I luv it! It needs a good going over. Its a White Rotary.