oldsewnsew

and partly to finally face how out of control this obsession has actually gotten! I intend to try to make a legit business out of the whole thing by selling some of the no longer desirables at 2 quilt shows this summer. I may even donate an old 99 to one of them for a fundraiser drawing.
But instead, I was up til 2:00 wrestling with a National, (MW, Eldredge, take your pick) model J, or N-50 or whatever else it goes by. They are interesting creatures, but they have some weakspots. They are heavy, but not cast iron. They are made of some type of pot metal. And they have 2 connector rods going from bottom to top thru the pillar. They are made of die-cast, probably zinc pot metal also. They also don't have anything other than luck holding their bearing ends on their pivot points. All in all not the best.
So it wouldn't turn well at all by hand, despite the seller saying that " I plugged it in and it runs but since I don't sew that's all I can tell you". That should be enough of a heads up by now. It didn't want to turn easily past a couple points even after considerable oiling. What took me too long to realize was that the needle clamp was actually hitting the underside of the boss above it. Well this morning it seemed to turn much easier so I plugged it in and hit the pedal. big mistake...BANG! Broke the upper end off one of the connecting rods. I'm NOT going to buy another one in hopes that I'll find good parts. But I may buy another one and be more careful. I DO intend to make 2 better connecting rods for it and repair it. But it will have to wait til later.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]469322[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]469323[/ATTACH] To give a sense of proportion, and my hands are not that large, in case you've yet to see one up close.
Seller pic...[ATTACH=CONFIG]469324[/ATTACH] Supposed to take KK1221 needles, anyone know how long those are? I'll have to lower the needlebar, it will work with a 20x1 (sort of, in self destruct mode) as is. And it didn't come with a bobbin, but about anything other than a White will fit in the winder and bobbin case. The winder is interesting, in that is on the end of the motor shaft. If the motor self destructs, ummm....By the time I get through with this thing, I might as well paint it and make it obvious that it's not original. Anyone have guidance on what the bobbin is that's supposed to be in it? Lastly, it is sort of "Low Shank" on that foot, but some won't fit, as it's more squared off. Update, that little cardboard box of Greist marked "attachments" will fit fine. [ATTACH=CONFIG]469325[/ATTACH]