It would be hard to come up with a correct height - there are variations in the height on the machines. I have an old long bobbin machine with a motor attached pretty unique - might work for HC - I'll shoot it and some Chinese hand cranks later.

I have a Singer handcrank model 128 (do not have picture) made 12/1949 in Elizabethport, NJ...my question is what is the benefit of a handcrank. I have no clue as this machine was given to me by a relative and I really would like to know if it is usable or just a decoration. Why are people looking to convert to handcranks??

You do not have to plug in a hand crank. You might need to mend a sail on a sail boat or fix a tent on the ground. You can sew on your back porch. I want one that will do embroidery some machines have an oddly placed boss or none at all - a HC will sew slow and I can control the speed closer. With the coal generated electric being shut down by the pres. you might want to save money on electric in the next few years.

What Miriam says about sewing slow with a HC is so very true. You can literally stitch one stitch at a time consistently and accurately.

Joe

It would be nice for the fancy stitches. How about a HC on a Singer 401???

Thanks for the info. I may try to get it running. I am a little terrified by the long shuttle bobbin. I guess it would be good during times when power is out. I hate to get rid of it because it belong to my DIL's mother and she gave it to me because she felt I would appreciate it. This board is so helpful. I thank all of you for the info I get every day.

Muv's blog has a real good illustration of how to thread the shuttle - she has lots of videos on her blog, too. Muv is the best!!! http://lizzielenard-vintagesewing.bl...ta-manual.html
I printed it out and put it on card stock with the machine.

How would you put a hand crank on a 401? No external motor bracket boss there.

I could put a HC on my Alden? I wonder how hard it would be to hand crank that one?

Joe

It's why there is no HC on my 401... The Singer 319 & 306 boss is off set - won't turn right. an off set mount on the HC unit might work...

It is interesting thread Steve. I have an 1893 Singer 27 that is a perfect candidate to convert to a hand crank. I does not have a boss to mount one though.

Check out this link, http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/screw_threads/, perfect for your technical mind.