Originally Posted by
J Miller
I have less trouble with the friction drive machines than belt drive. The only preventive measure is fabricating a wedge to keep the drive wheel away from the hand wheel when not in use. That's easy, just use half a clothes pin between the motor housing and pivot bracket. No more flat spots.
Joe
Hi Joe,
All the factory electric Davis machines have a motor which swings away from the handwheel inside the "harp" when the machine is stored which is a brilliant idea and eliminates flat spots if not left out. Singer used this setup on it's early electrics. Even with new rubber the early friction drive IMHO just doesn't seem as smooth as an aftermarket belted motor which would explain why Singer did away with the early motor setup. My experience is limited to
Davis friction drive machines of the Teens and Twenties so perhaps they improved in time with White, Domestic, National and any foreign makes by the 40's and 50's.
Jon