Hi people,
I just found an old drop in sewing table at a thrift store for 35$..An old singer is in it now...I so want this table...I just got a new Viking Emerald 118 for christmas.. I looked at the apparatus that's attching it to the table ( to allow it to drop down)..It looks almost like L brackets...
My question is... Anyone have any experience taking an old machine out and attaching their new machine to one of these?
I looked at the back base of my new machine and I see no Scew holes to attach it to the table...I could use some kind of tool to customize it ( drill or something) but, am afraid of cracking the plastic base of my machine...Is there anything I can attach to the base without drilling holes etc?
I did swing by the viking dealer shop to measure deminions on my new machine and was talking to the dealer... He told me that they no longer make machines that drop down due to finding out it was hard on the machine,,However, I know several ladies that have had drop in machines for yrs with no problems....
Any advice would be much appreciate..

I have one of those tables too. None of my machines will fit in it and I haven't been able to figure a secure way to make that happen. I would croak if one fell thru!!!!

My mother, years ago, bought a new Singer that was computerized that she put in her old cabinet. Honestly, she had a lot of trouble with her new machine until she quit dropping it and just left it set up. Could be she handled it too roughly, but knowing my mom, I doubt it was due to mishandling by her. Once she left it set in place, no more problems.

:: sigh :: That's not what I wanted to hear Cyn lmao....If no one can help us on this thread I'll do additional research...If I fine a soultion I'll shoot you a Pm and let you know.

I really think they made the new machines (non- dropable) for money reasons not durablity)= No one can now convert grandmas sewing table lol

New machines are made for 'table top' use. The newer tables have a 'push down' apparatus to 'hide' the machine and some machines have a hole in the bottom so you can screw your machine down to the 'table' in these new cabinets. Does yours have a screw hole in the base? If so you could have someone make a wooden base that attaches to the "L" brackets and then you could screw your machine into that base. Also, there should be a wooden type 'sling' under the hole where the machine swings up from. This is suppose to protect your machine from falling to the floor and to help with dust accumulation.

Clear as mud?

Good luck!

Ha! I don't have the table in front of me Coyote..So I can't check it out and figure out your descripion...However, you had a similar suggestion..I've thought of getting someone to make and attach a wooden shelf to sit in the drop in part ( to make the machine even with the table top)

New machines, especially computerized machines are not designed to hang upside down and the frames on the machines are not built to withstand what you're wanting to do with it. If you proceed, I suspect you'll be very sorry. Just saying....

This is what I was going to suggest.

Well I hope you find a way but unless it is absolutely secure, I won't chance it. My father and hubby are real good at building and fixing things and they haven't come up with anything. My table is pretty old and I didn't want to damage it much. It's very sturdy and wonderful to sew on top of so that's good. I also have the worse luck and am trying to curb that some by not jumping into things without checking them out first! ;) We'll see how long that last- I'm so impulsive :)

I don't particualarly want it to drop down..I just want it even with the table top....So the wooden shelf idea is totally worth a try..However..I can't build anything with legos much less anything else..Hubby prolly could but, his middle name is Procrastination lmao....I might go ahead and get it and pay and or barter it done..Thanks guys

and then you make an insert to go around the machine, to make everything flush :D:D:D

I have seen a cabinet that was modified for this...The husband took 4 shelf brackets...the ones that look like an "L". Attached the one part to a shelf they made to fit the opening, and bent the other part on a 90 degree angle to attach to the bottom of the cabinet top.
It worked for her...she just lifted the machine in and out as needed, and then flipped the lid over to cover the hole.

this sounds like a really good idea. Hope it works out for you.

What about an older machine? Would they work? I have a cabinet that a Singer Touch and Sew is in and would love to swap it with my Singer 301A.

Can you find some towel racks that are deep enough and screw them to the underside of the table top. You can rest the machine on them. The towel racks would be like slings. Then if your machine has a acrylic extension table, just lay it on top with out legs on, to fill in the gaps.


/__________/

Oh, great ideas..Thanks you guys...Now I'll feel more comfortable about purchasing it...
I am curious about the towel rack idea...Now I have to go look at towel racks to see if I can't visualize what you're describing lmao

The wrong type of table could cause your machine to vibrate and that would jiggle things out of place/line.
It happen to my serger, the loopers were way our of line. NOT GOOD
Big repair bill.

Good point Joy, I'll have to experiment on my old machine first... As of right now I am trying to sew on the end of my banquet table which is causing my machine to vibrate bad ( still using my old machine till I resolve my sewing problems)

I do have my own small sewing room..However, trying to fit 3 hobbies in it on a not so big budgent for organizing is proving to be a little difficult.

SherriB, to convert your Touch & Sew cabinet to accept a 301 is pretty easy - you just have to buy the cradle and brackets that fit the 301. They usually cost about $30 on eBay.

The little brackets attach to the inside front lip of the opening on top of cabinet with screws and the cradle fits onto the hinge pins. (Those are what are holding the T&S in the cabinet, now)

Don't buy a cradle that doesn't have the brackets - without the little brackets, the cradle will fall right through the opening.

I think we have done a similar thing. I have a Brother Sewing Machine for years, but didn't have a cabinet for it. It was always a nuisance to haul the machine out of the closet, out of its box every time I wanted to use it. I have been looking for a used cabinet for a very long time. (I wanted black) I found one for $30. Very sturdy, but needs some TLC as it has been painted several times and the present so-called finish is black chalk paint and is chipped in spots. Ok, so...I can strip and sand and paint it a shiny black. ...there are no hinge pins...no biggy...I can get those...in looking at the bottom of the machine...there is no place to connect hinge pins... !! I have been searching for a solution and I stumbled upon this forum. I like the "shelf idea"...did you ever get one made? Please keep me posted as to your solution and how it worked out. Thanks!

Why don’t you just buy an extension table for your machine? It seems like it would be easier and not hard on your machine. just saying.

A sewing machine cabinet can look like a nice side table in your room. Depending on where you keep your machine, you might not want anyone to know there is a sewing machine in the cabinet. I have 2 in my living room and unless someone is familiar with the cabinets, they probably wouldn't even know there are sewing machines in the room.

I modified a treadle cabinet for my new machine, and then I modified a later Singer cabinet for the same machine. The machine had a front load bobbin (not top) so I made a exended table that slide in place. I could slide that out of place when I needed to change the bobbin or maintain the bobbin area. I really liked how it turned out. It was a bigger cabinet to start with, probably from the 50's-60's era, and very stable.

I did put in a shelf for this one, and had holes on the end for the cords to run through.

I wouldn't even chance it with a new machine. You do not want to do anything that might invalidate your warranty.
I am sitting here thinking maybe there would be a way to make a 'slide' that would keep the machine upright when the table top is closed??? Maybe with a spring swing arm.???

The original poster posted this in 2011.

I too am suggesting a shelf and setting in the machine. Never dropping it down inside.
I have a 1927 Library model in a beautiful oak cabinet. I have thought about getting DH to put in my 301 to utilize this incredible table. It is a piece of history with quite a story to it.
Good luck
Pegeth

sewing
 

I have a husquavarna quilt designer and a old singer sewing cabinet. My husband took out the old machine and installed a lift ,he cut out a really nice piece of wood that fits around my machine just like the plastic cutouts for machines. It works great even my newer machine Topaz fits it.

Your sewing table you bought.
 

Yep, you guys know you're trying to help someone who posted this problem 9 years ago? Sweet of you, but she's probably already figured out what to do. ;)

I wonder if there's a way to make the board stop dredging up these ancient threads? Or else we all have to check the dates on the posts before commenting.

Actually, new request seeking advice was posted to this thread on 1/12/2020, so we have not been responding to a question from years ago.