knee lever controllers

Thread Tools
 
Old 04-29-2019, 11:22 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
leonf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: near Topeka kansas
Posts: 4,524
Default knee lever controllers

FYI I posted 4 pics of knee control options. They show a couple of different kinds. A quick release holder for a controller that could be used at the knee or taken off for the floor. One bizarre one that would be operated by the kneecap as one leaned forward under that machine. I am certain that Singer would not have done that. And yes, bright eyed folks, that is a 28 Godzilla in a stock cabinet. Sorry they are twisted. https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...bums20143.html
leonf is offline  
Old 04-29-2019, 02:27 PM
  #2  
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 21
Default

Again...rookie question, but I'm assuming a knee lever can be added to a foot pedal operated machine? I bought a 66-18 and the cord of the foot pedal is crazy short - I had to drop it straight down through the leaves of my table and it barely reached. Would much prefer a knee lever. I guess I'd have to put it in a cabinet or a base with a hole for the lever.
And I seriously can't believe someone would want to have a pedal/lever activated with knee press! I suppose if someone had hip issues and couldn't externally rotate their hip, then another option might be needed - but for the general public, that's a design fail. I'd have to seriously evaluate how badly I needed something sewn!
AnInspiredMess is offline  
Old 04-29-2019, 04:38 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,963
Default

You can easily replace the cord to any length you need. The knee levers leonf has picture of are for the later type cabinets, and singer had these clamp like devices for the button controller. They work well, I'm not sure when it comes to compatability for other brands. Earlier cabinets had a different type of knee lever, much the same for the bent wood cased models.
Mickey2 is offline  
Old 04-30-2019, 07:11 AM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
Default

In 1956, I bought a 301 to make maternity clothes. A friend made a cabinet for it. It looks like a desk with the machine mounted flush with the top. The foot pedal is mounted onto the side wall of the chair cavity and a wooden paddle was mounted there that could be pushed with my knee to press the button on the control. That worked wonderfully all these years.

The sewing machine can be stored in a double deep drawer on the right side and the hole in the desk top gets filled with a board made to fit. Then I have a desk, which I now use for my computer. I can have the computer on there; put the sewing machine in front of it and use them both at the same time. Or at least I can watch a quilt demo while sewing the project.
maviskw is offline  
Old 04-30-2019, 10:26 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 472
Default

I find that I can more easily regulate speed with a knee lever than with a foot control. I have no joint issues, and have only started using a knee lever in the last 6 months.

I have learned that not all knee levers are created equal. I have a 15-90 in a #40 cabinet with an awkward lever, and a 66-16 in a #40 with a very ergonomic lever. The 15-91 in the...treadle looking cabinet with the straight legs is also very comfortable.

The 101, tho, is in a #40 library table, and that lever looks much like a dog-leg tongue depressor, and it is mounted on the left! I have not tried this one yet.
WIChix is offline  
Old 05-01-2019, 06:04 AM
  #6  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
leonf's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: near Topeka kansas
Posts: 4,524
Default

Left mounted...Interesting. After my dad lost his leg he had a left mount gas pedal installed in his car.
leonf is offline  
Old 05-02-2019, 07:22 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 472
Default

The left mount knee lever on the 101 is original. Apparently it was a short lived design feature.
WIChix is offline  
Old 05-04-2019, 03:34 AM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milton DE
Posts: 3,189
Default

I have a 301 in original cabinet that has the knee lever...Love it and I too have more control using it versus the foot
hobbykat1955 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Blackberry
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
11
08-13-2014 12:16 PM
Quilter7x
Main
181
10-24-2011 09:42 AM
so-sew
Main
2
05-23-2011 08:41 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



FREE Quilting Newsletter