Barn Find Update
 

I posted about some "Barn Find" machines here

https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...d-t311795.html

An update on the Singer 27. The first picture is "before", the second is "after". I was going to try to mount a reproduction hand crank, but they will not work with the existing hand wheel and there is too much main shaft for one of the after market spoked wheels, so I think I will try mounting a motor, I have one hole tapped, just need to figure out what to use for a spacer between the motor bracket and the machine itself. Of course with that heavy hand wheel if I get it spinning with a motor it may never stop spinning!

The machines turns freely, with surprisingly little oil given the condition it was in, and sews stitches, although they need some work, spinning it by hand. I with I had a treadle table to put it in to give it a spin.

It didn't turn out as well as it could have, but it will only be in my personal "museum" so I am happy with it.

Well, I have to say that I think it looks wonderful. I am not a mechanical person or a restorer of older machines and I really appreciate those of you who do this. Thanks for saving that grand old lady.

I just retired one similar to the scrap/parts pile. Admire the work & time you've put into this https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/thumbup.png Always good to see another oldie saved.

I think the "after" machine looks great. You did a fantastic job making it look good.

Very nice job, Joe Jr.

Joejr it looks like you gave it back a dozen or so lifetimes. It is as clean as a whistle! To bad you can't find a compatible hand crank. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/frown.png. It will be an undertaking well worth the effort to motorize it. It won't be the same but still a great turn out for this machine. Thanks for sharing.

I appreciate everyone's remarks. I've been working on machines only a couple of years, and this was the most ambitious undertaking, cosmetically anyway. There's such a great sense of satisfaction bringing a machine back to life, and I don't even know how to sew! I admire people who can actually make things with a machine. The most remarkable thing about working on them is the engineering, it's amazing to see something 100+ years old still function as it was intended. And the help from everyone on this board can't be overvalued.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...738-579297.jpg

JoeJr, you may already know that the hub width on spoked wheels comes in two different sizes ( see above) Swithing to a 1" ( I think) hub, may be an easier way to solve the problem. Is there a boss on your machine?

PS I barley sew, but love these beasties.

I figured out from this machine that there are different hub sizes! The shaft for the wheel on this is 1 5/16". When I tried a wheel with the smaller hub there was, of course, too much shaft remaining.

I tapped a hole for mounting something, likely a motor; you can see the bolt sticking out the side. A neighbor told me about wedge washers, which I'd never heard of; if I can find one the right size I will use it as a spacer between the pillar and a motor mount, but I haven't been into the hardware store yet to see if they have them.