Which Singer Touch and Sew machines ............
 

My wife and I have collected machines that do decorative and other non straight stitches. She does crafts and I decorate things with the patterns so we've amassed quite a few machines. Some we have and are going to rehome since even though they are good machines they don't add anything different or unique to the stable.

We've been looking at Singer Touch and Sews because they can be set up for chain stitches. But I loathe plastic gears and have heard that some of the earliest ones have steel or metal gears. What I'd like to ask is which T & S models would have, or be most likely to have metal gears.

Knowing that would reduce the trial and error part considerably.

Joe

Here's a page with a lot of info on Touch And Sews http://www.tandtrepair.com/600TandSstuff.html And you could email him with any questions you have too.

Hi Joe,
I have a 778, purchased in 1976. i think it has metal gears, very heavy machine. It has cams for fancy stitches, but I do not like results of all the cams. Some I love. I have used it for dress making and now for quilting. As long as I keep bobbin area clean & oiled it sew great. Since I retired 4 yrs ago it has gotten very heavy use.

When I purchased it, computerized machines were just starting to be on the market. I told sales person I wanted one that did every thing the "fancy" ones did but not the computer(I did not trust computerized maschines) At the time this machine was the top of the line. Because it was so expensive I do not see many. It has a slant needle and low shank. I have yet to find a walking foot that will work on it. I have 3 walking feet. I have had to replace the foot pedal recently, original was getting to warm for me, did not want to take a chance on a fire.

My DH takes it apart and cleans & oils innards periodically

Hop this helps.

And Joe, several 158 series Kenmores will also do a chainstitch...the ones that have the little needle plate insert that you turn around for straight or zigzag like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEDLE-PLATE...3b77b8538...or this http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEDLE-PLATE...item43b77b840c & all of these have metal gears. My 158.17550 does a gorgeous chain stitch. It came with a chain stitch needle plate insert & you take out the bobbin case & put in the chain stitch looper.

Path49,
Thanks for the links. I read the one at TNT and I looked at the eBay auctions and jotted down the Kenmore models. I'll keep an eye out of one of those.

cjr,

Thanks for the review of that Singer model. I don't see many 700 series, so I'll watch for them too.


Joe

Do all T & Ss chain stitch? I didn't think so. The 639 I have here does, but the tension is off so it doesn't sew. I think the odd looking bobbin area has a problem. A retired Singer repairman is now working part time at the Janome dealer's shop. I'd like him to look at it before I part it out.

irishrose,

I don't know if they all do, I doubt it. But, I have acquired a bunch of different accessory kits for the 600 series machines and most of them have the chain stitch parts in them. I suppose I should look into this.

Joe

Joe,

The 600 through 620 T&S machine have metal gears. The change over is supposed to have been with the 626. Some of the 626's have been found to have metal gears and some have been found to have nylon gears.
The 700 series did not originally come with metal gears.

I have always been under the impression that all of the T&S series could chain stitch with the proper bobbin cover plate, thread guide and feed dog plate.

Cathy

Cathy,

Thanks, now I know what I want to look for. And I have several sets of the chain stitch accessories.

Joe

What does that plate look like?