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Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Vintage Sewing Machine Shop.....Come on in and sit a spell

Old 02-17-2012, 07:38 AM
  #30941  
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Originally Posted by BoJangles View Post
Have any of you tried using metallic thread on your 401a's or a similar machine? Yesterday, I changed needles (to a metallic needle), re-threaded several times, put the metallic thread on a spool behind the machine so the thread could relax before it hit the thread guides, played with the tension, did everything I could think of to get my new 401a to accept the metallic thread! No go - I spent an hour going 5 inches, cutting the bobbin thread off every 1/2" or so when it jammed, removing the slide plate, cleaning the bobbin area, re-threading the bobbin - everything I could think of! I would sew a 1/2 inch or so then it jammed up - had to cut the bobbin thread off underneath due to a huge mess. I switched to a 50 weight DMC thread and didn't have any issues at all? I really wanted to use metallic thread on a little Patchability I was doing!

Nancy
I've got a Wonderthread guide, but haven't used it. Some metallics do much better if they come off the spool horizontally. And unless you own or can rig a guide to do so, the vertical spools on some of our old gals may interfere with that.
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Old 02-17-2012, 08:33 AM
  #30942  
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Nancy, try using a top stitch needle and see if that helps. Kathie
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Old 02-17-2012, 09:25 AM
  #30943  
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Originally Posted by BoJangles View Post
Yep, makes sense to me too. Luckily, I have not had to tweak any of my treadles! My Betty (Davis Vertical Feed) is by far the hardest/most work out to treadle. I think that is probably because I only use her to put bindings on Queen/King sized quilts, and because she has to 'walk' the quilt to sew!

Nancy
The is a good example of what Cathy was referring to with the differences in treadles.
My Davis NVF treadles with ease. The machine is louder than some of my others, but the treadle is smooth and easy to treadle.
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Old 02-17-2012, 09:34 AM
  #30944  
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Originally Posted by BoJangles View Post
Geeze, Charlee that is an interesting article. Reminds me of what Glenn says about the fact that the wood is dead and doesn't need feeding or something like that. Glenn, I'd like to see your observations on that article. Does that mean I have to quit using Liquid Gold on my cabinets - I love the way they shine when I use it?

Nancy
I wonder what good paste wax the author recommends. Maybe he will write another article on the differences of the waxes.
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Old 02-17-2012, 09:42 AM
  #30945  
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Originally Posted by BoJangles View Post
Have any of you tried using metallic thread on your 401a's or a similar machine? Yesterday, I changed needles (to a metallic needle), re-threaded several times, put the metallic thread on a spool behind the machine so the thread could relax before it hit the thread guides, played with the tension, did everything I could think of to get my new 401a to accept the metallic thread! No go - I spent an hour going 5 inches, cutting the bobbin thread off every 1/2" or so when it jammed, removing the slide plate, cleaning the bobbin area, re-threading the bobbin - everything I could think of! I would sew a 1/2 inch or so then it jammed up - had to cut the bobbin thread off underneath due to a huge mess. I switched to a 50 weight DMC thread and didn't have any issues at all? I really wanted to use metallic thread on a little Patchability I was doing!

Nancy
Nancy, You will appreciate this article that Leah Day wrote on needles and threads- and the dreaded metallic.
http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...t-needles.html
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Old 02-17-2012, 09:44 AM
  #30946  
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Originally Posted by Charlee View Post
I tried to edit the post to add that our Glenn has been telling us this for a long time, but my computer was acting up!

The author does state to use a wax once a year. So I would like to know which wax.
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Old 02-17-2012, 10:04 AM
  #30947  
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Regarding using something else for belts. I'm like faaaarrrrrrr away from anyone that sells belts. I ordered two leather ones and could not for the life of me get one stapled together. In trying to make a hole - the belt kept slipping and hole went in crooked and resulted in the belt splitting. Soooo I read here on the board that someone used the leg of a panty hose and I tried it. Works like a charm and cost was zero. And was much easier to put on - just stretch it as far as it would go and tie a knot.

Also I have a question. Can someone tell me the model number of a Singer electric machine - serial #AH300426. I think it was manufactured in 1947. It belongs to a friend and she needs a power cord that goes from machine to plug in. I've never seen the machine - just going by her description.
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Old 02-17-2012, 10:12 AM
  #30948  
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Originally Posted by misseva View Post
Regarding using something else for belts. I'm like faaaarrrrrrr away from anyone that sells belts. I ordered two leather ones and could not for the life of me get one stapled together. In trying to make a hole - the belt kept slipping and hole went in crooked and resulted in the belt splitting. Soooo I read here on the board that someone used the leg of a panty hose and I tried it. Works like a charm and cost was zero. And was much easier to put on - just stretch it as far as it would go and tie a knot.

Also I have a question. Can someone tell me the model number of a Singer electric machine - serial #AH300426. I think it was manufactured in 1947. It belongs to a friend and she needs a power cord that goes from machine to plug in. I've never seen the machine - just going by her description.
I've heard of the pantihose fix too. Not tried it yet, but have seen folks that swear by it.

Your friend's machine is a 66, commissioned on Oct. 27, 1947. contact mizkaki, I'm betting she's got a cord at the best price.
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Old 02-17-2012, 10:24 AM
  #30949  
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Thanks Charlee for your quick response. Where did you go to find the model number? I went to singer and found out it was mfg. in 1947 but not model number. When I went on line to order the cord I was asked for model number.
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Old 02-17-2012, 10:36 AM
  #30950  
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Ismacs.net has links to the old Singer files for serial numbers.

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...-database.html
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