costumegirl

I've been looking at pics of 12ks and trying to research their origins and learn about their different parts. (LOL!! I must admit that I am secretly obsessing over these beautiful looking machines and that one should possibly find its way to live with me )

I know that they were extremely popular, lots were made and made dear Issac lots of money.

I noticed though that there appears to be different styles of bobbin winders but the manual pics that I've seen do not show them.
http://needlebar.org/main/manuals/singer12k/index.html

Does anyone have a model 12 or 12k? I'm thinking that these bobbin winders may have changed due to development of the design changes and tweaking to make it more efficient.

- does anyone know where I can research the time lines on the changes in winder designs and the dates they may have occurred? Is one more efficient than the other? Problems of the different designs?

- regular looking with no extra parts:
http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php/File:12.jpg

- use of a paddle like extension
http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-BEST-SIN...item4187eae38c

- the video on this one shows just an extended upright bar with a loop
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Vintage-...item5b045b59a7

- an unusual diagonal setup
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amazing-An...item418888e1e0

Am I crazy to start looking for one or for a machine from that time era? any advice? any info?

Alex Askaroff has a video of the copycat German Superba and wow is she quiet!!- and a different style of winder - I'm drooling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-u3ObYZDRo


Deb

SteveH

ok, short answer (I'm at work)

This device began as the Singer "New Family", which became the "12". The "12K" means it was made in the Kilbowie factory in Scotland.

The simple short winder is the earlier style
The style with the "arm" began short, then lengthened the arm.
The "diagonal" unit i would strongly suspect is a non singer part put on that machine.

You can also look up the Singer 13/13K also known as a "Medium" which is the exact same machine scaled up for light industrial work.

I would suggest researching on ISMACS and then Needlebar Picture library.

If you need more details let me know.

costumegirl

Thanks Steve - I know you are the "Victorian" expert & collector - went to those sites and am still looking around there to find out info


Deb

ThayerRags

It’s kind of a hazy photo, but here’s my 1889 Singer New Family with the simple bobbin winder.

CD in Oklahoma

ThayerRags

And here’s my 1873 Singer New Family treadle head with the same type of BW.

CD in Oklahoma