HELP! What is this thingy?
 

I just bought a mid 50's Japanese machine. This was attached to the back part of the cabinet. It appears to control the motor speed maybe? When I plug the machine in, it takes off like a 747. There is no way to stop it, other than unplug it. Anyway, my question is, what is this and where can I find another one? Thank you all. I know you will know![ATTACH=CONFIG]360855[/ATTACH]

Those are ancient cord plugs and are all but unobtainium. You'd be better off getting a new cord block from Sew-Classic { http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/ } and rewiring the motor and light for regular two prong AC plugs. The reason your motor won't slow down is that it's not being controlled by the foot controller. It's getting full voltage.
If you don't have a foot controller, Sew-Classic has those too.

Joe

There are 2 regular 2 prong ac plugs hanging from under the machine on very short cords. What do I ask for from Sew Classic. I would rather have a regular foot control than have to use the knee control thing. How do I go about attaching a foot control? This machine just screams 1950s, so I've got to get it going. This is my first attempt at repair/restore, so I know I must appear really stupid. It's just that I really don't know what all of these things are and what they are supposed to do. Thanks for any help you can give me! Sandy

you're braver than I am to plug those in. Not the connectors, but the frayed cords. I have those connectors on my 1926 White Rotary, but I haven't inspected it carefully yet so I don't know what is what.

Sandy,

Foot controller = Part # SCE 507 { http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Foot...TAL-SCE507.htm }
Cord block set = Part # SCE 143 { http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Cord...143-SCE143.htm }

If you order the cord block and the foot controller for an extra $2.99 Sew-Classic will wire them together for you.
{ http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Foot...SCE-Wiring.htm }
They are easy to do if you're handy with a screw driver and pliers.

The two prong plugs from the motor and light, will plug into the receptacles on the cord block. They are labeled so it's easy to know which goes where.

Joe

Thanks so much, Joe. I have just received my order confirmation from Sew-Classic because I can't wait to sew on my 57 Chevy!

The bad thing is I have a FREE Sewing Machine Co. ( pre Free Westinghouse ) that I need some of those plugs for.
I had to rewire it in a modern manner but I so wanted to do it as it was. Alas, no plugs like that to be had.


Joe

Hi, Caroline. I couldn't get the pics to upload into this thread, so I had to start a new one. Joe told me which parts I needed to replace the electrical thing and now I'm waiting on them to come. I need whatever it is that regulates the speed of the motor, because right now, she only runs at full tilt. Can't wait for the new parts to come because I'm dying to sew on her!

The speed of the motor is regulated by the foot controller.

Joe