Ellebookgirl

Hi!
been reading various posts for a while, longing for a hand crank. I've seen posts with steps to convert, not sure of my skills. I have found one already converted on ebay, they show the needle moving but no fabric or example.
Question: it seems very loud, is that normal or sign of a not great conversion?
Also, is this type of machine still have parts for maintence, use, repair, or have i missed my window?

Thanks for any help!

KalamaQuilts

I converted several vintage singers to hand cranks, the last a late 40's 66 with drop in bobbin. My understanding is if the original has a spoked wheel it can convert, I got the cranks and parts off ebay over several years, made in China. Sometimes original parts come up but usually more expensive.
Hand cranks are pretty quiet on the whole, perhaps the one you were looking at needed oiling or needle adjustment?
Best wishes, they are much fun to use!

lots more experts here, they will correct my info if wrong

JoeJr

You may have already found this thread

Hand Crank Question - Quiltingboard Forums

And my post on it has links to other threads.

As to the one you heard on ebay, the noise of the reproduction hand cranks can be quieted a little bit by opening it up and greasing the gears, not too heavily. The machining on the reproduction cranks is not really going to be great, meaning they'll make some noise.

JoeJr

And here's something else you can try with the reproduction hand cranks

Reproduction Handcrank Upgrade - Quiltingboard Forums