oldsewnsew

National "Defiance" bobbin winding, https://www.dropbox.com/s/oy4y9lqtdb...2019.56.40.mp4
and some refinenement on the J-hook handle, done with a drum sander on a drill (press). [ATTACH=CONFIG]483644[/ATTACH]

miriam

I have one that winds the bobbin like that. Getting the belt to hold is the biggest trick. Can that J hook go around a spoke instead?

oldsewnsew

Yes that cogged belt is very flexible so it works. So yes, you can put it around a spoke, but this 5/16" J-bolt (which is what I had 4 of lying about) is bigger than optimal for the National type handwheels. 1/4" J-bolt would fit the spokes better. I'll stop at my favorite hdwe store and pick up a couple. Also, some vinyl tubing over the "J" would help grip the handwheel, as well as keep it from wearing thru the paint.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]483663[/ATTACH]
The 2 machines look very similar from the front, but together you can see the differences more easily. (I just threw this in, cause I like looking at them!)[ATTACH=CONFIG]483664[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]483665[/ATTACH] Sorry tad blurry, early am coffee shakes

oldsewnsew

I'm on vacation and in a mad scramble to get stuff ready before the quilt show in Coburg OR this Saturday, and hoping it doesn't rain, THAT day TOO! But here is the latest version of the "Miriam" style, DIY knob. [ATTACH=CONFIG]484762[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]484763[/ATTACH]
Sew, altho it clamps the rim pretty securely, it still allows for either style of bobbin winder. [ATTACH=CONFIG]484764[/ATTACH]
I can use the smaller (cheaper) 1/4" hardware, but it requires putting a recess in the end of the knob, which I do with a special drill bit used in wooden pen making. I found a different 1/4" J bolt that I think will work without a recess. Oh, BTW, there is another nut, hidden in a recess in the other end of the handle, which is actually used to clamp the rim. The handle spins freely. The machine will spin freely a couple turns till the weight of the handle, returns it to the bottom. This can be very handy if you are doing something where you prefer it to stop on a needle-up or needle-down position.

oldsewnsew

I think CD was talking about the topic. Here is my setup, which I'm trying to get assembled into a freestanding unit, before the weekend show. I had it running the sewing machine but had to stop as the rain and clouds have been a rfrequent companion here recently.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]484769[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]484770[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]484771[/ATTACH] I actually had the machine running, but the pictures and video are on my camera. Waiting for the rain to go away, so I can get back to it.
The power comes from a 12V/9AH sealed lead acid battery, which is small and light, and used in UPS's for computers, (Uninteruptable Power Supply), and a 400 watt inverter, which is enough to run the machine by themselves, but you need to have a battery charger of some type. Or you could just buy a UPS, or get one from a recycle and replace the likely exhausted battery. The Solar panel, charge controller module came from the auction site, and is a 20W panel with a charge controller that you hook the battery and inverter to, and is capable of handling a much higher wattage battery and load. Altogether, there is about $65 in the solar module, $20 in a battery, and $40 in the inverter, plus a little 12 ga stranded wire with connectors, in case you don't want to cut the ones that come with the inverter.

Rodney

Slick setup on the solar power. Your handles are getting a bit more refined too. Nice work.
Rodney

miriam

Are you going to sell us some of those handles?

Caroline S

That is a cool set up Jim. I see we have the same taste in patio table covers.

oldsewnsew

I was up til midnite, putting the final touches on my little solar power rig to enable me to demonstrate SM's at the show. It was my first crack at actually getting rid of some "excess inventory" and it went very well! [ATTACH=CONFIG]485145[/ATTACH] loaded took 2 vehicles, thought about renting a U-haul van, but I'm cheap.[ATTACH=CONFIG]485146[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]485147[/ATTACH] The solar panel was beating me at first as I had no chance to test it last night. I was starting to get sour on import product quality, but finally realized it was operator error! I won't go into the details, but here is the finished product and it worked like a champ through the day, except when I forgot I had it. A few customers I used words, without realizing, just seeing and hearing them run, can speak for itself. [ATTACH=CONFIG]485148[/ATTACH] The White is serving in the ignominious role of holding down the canopy, to which more balast was added later when the winds got stronger. [ATTACH=CONFIG]485149[/ATTACH] The other side of the solar pan[ATTACH=CONFIG]485150[/ATTACH]el which swings open, to hold itself up. Upper left is a 400 Watt inverter, upper right is the microprocessor controlled charge regulator rated for up to 10Amp load and and lower right is 12V/9AH sealed lead acid battery. It worked quite well, but I only needed power intermittently. Sales were good, and I let go of a 1902 Singer 27 treadle is great shape, 2 Featherweights, that were actually pretty good bargains, and 2 Singer 99's as well as some other odd items. Lots of interest in the hot pink Wizard ZZ as well as the bentwood Singer 15-91's and the cabinet mounted 201-2. My price is probably a tad high on those vs. demand, but certainly not unreasonable. I also had dozens of folks ask for a business card, to see if I might have a look-see at the old (Fill in the blank) that Gramma/mom/auntie etc used to use. I don't charge much, and won't do much on the cabinets, no time or space. I was excited how well the day went, and can't thank all of the advice and feedback here on QB! And thanks to the kind folks who allowed me to participate!!

oldsewnsew

Miriam, I have a few more details to work through, but likely yes, mostly at quilt shows where I set up...