Featherweight Turnover
We have a new addition to our collection of baseboards for the sewing machine work stand.
(Featherweight - Upside Down)
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I've been thinking for a long time about how to mount a Featherweight in our work stand. All of the ideas involved having the bed flush with the baseboard, as with all of the other machines. Because of the 221's extension that lifts up, the need for bobbin access and several other mounting issues, I finally decided to mount it from the bottom instead. Now that it's done, I can see that it's both better and simpler to do it this way.
I made a template for the shaped recessed edge which will hold the Featherweight base. I then routed the outline into the baseboard material, very much like I showed with another baseboard earlier in this thread.
(Featherweight Baseboard Parts)
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The Featherweight offers a convenient means of mounting in the work stand, using the threaded peg that holds the bottom cover on. It is easily strong enough to hold the machine's weight and makes it simple to fashion a retaining clamp. The clamp holds the machine securely in the work stand from the bottom.
The clamp was made from 1 x 3 wood stock, cut and sanded to shape. For the metal bar that goes onto the threaded peg I thought it would be particularly appropriate to use aluminum. I had a short piece of 1/8 inch thick by 1/2 inch wide bar material that I used.
(Finished Featherweight Baseboard)
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Here the stand is set up and ready to receive the Featherweight machine.
(Work Stand Ready For Featherweight)
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The bottom cover must be removed from the Featherweight prior to placing it in the work stand. After placing the Featherweight in the stand, the clamp is secured underneath, using the same thumbnut that was used to hold the bottom cover in place.
(Bottom View - Clamp)
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The clamp is remarkably unobtrusive, allowing easy access to all areas of the underside that might require service or inspection.
Here's what the Featherweight looks like in the work stand and rotated to an upright position.
(Featherweight Upright)
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Had it been finished, we could have used this a couple of weeks ago. This is the same machine that we posted about that was having trouble turning easily. Perhaps this baseboard can help with work on the next Featherweight. I mean, you know, in case such an unlikely thing were to happen. Maybe a white one?
John