Hand Cranks: 99k vs. 128/128k?
 

I was all set to go pick up my 99k from a guy on CL last weekend. I called Friday evening to confirm and get his address. I receive a text back that the machine was sold to someone else for the full asking price (he accepted my best offer, as the machine had been listed for well over a month.). We had been talking for a period of two weeks, getting our schedules to mesh so he knew I was still serious about this! I was devastated! I told him he did me wrong and should have called me, saying that another buyer was willing to pay full price and would I be willing to pay more? I would have, believe me! I really wanted that machine!

So now I am on a mission to find another hand crank. There are a couple of 128's on CL with pretty decals, one is only $120. The 99k's on ebay are expensive! I like the thought of a class 66 bobbin which will play well with my 503. Does anyone have both? I have never used a shuttle bobbin so I am a little uneasy about that? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

That was not very nice of the seller. We have watched CL and see machines that seem nice, but the seller lists them as one price one week then goes down the next, then back up.... Also one seller one time had several treadle machines but when we contacted them they said "I think they are sold..I'll contact you if they don't" then you see the same machines never taken off the site. I always ask Penny to NEVER go look at an item without me with her. Not because I don't trust her decisions, but rather some sellers are way out there, or give addresses in places I don't travel myself at night without five friends in my pocket. Good luck in your search for hand crank variants. Those are the ones I seem most fascinated by. Did get a very nice 99 yesterday by UPS we won on an auction site. Electric model with very nice paint. I'll make a base for her and we'll keep her here for our g-daughter to use when she visits. Best of this day to you. Don

I have a 99 that was electric when I got it, and my DH took the motor off and we put a spoke wheel and handcrank on it. I love it!! Then I got a 128 electric for my grandaughter, but I haven't done anything with it yet, as I've been on a couple of deadlines for projects. I wouldn't want to handcrank the 128 for her, and I'm going to have to teach her how to wind the shuttle bobbin, but I think she'll be OK with it since it's a 3/4 size machine. Look on shopgoodwill.com for 99's....they are on there by the dozens at less than $50 plus shipping. Also 15 clones are on there same price range. 99's are fun to put handcranks on, and the 66 bobbin is a plus!!

Well, I jumped in and bought a 128 electric on ebay. It has gorgeous La Vencadora decals! I plan on converting it to a hand crank. I may order a second crank for the my electric 99 too, or hold out and find another cheap 99 on CL. I might like using a 99 electric and hand crank both! See what you guys started on this board! We are all becoming vintage fanatics!

Thanks for all your help! I appreciate it!

Consider a Spartan as well. I have a 99 and a Spartan - sew nice. I also like them because they take the same bobbin as my 403 and 503. My Singer 99 was dropped before I got it and needs the part the hand wheel fits on - looks kind of like a hat.

You will find everything you need to know about 128Ks on my Youtube videos (details of my channel below - sorry, since the board changes the link no longer works). Watch all the videos I have on there about long bobbin machines. 28Ks and 128Ks are very similar. The only real difference is the position of the bobbin winder, and a 28K has a thumb tab under the tension discs. So don't be put off if the video features a 28K - everything works the same way on a 128K.

Delighted to see people are keen to take motors off machines and convert them back to hand machines. Apart from anything else, they just look so much more beautiful. Also, with a hand machine you can go extra extra slow if you are doing something fiddly.

Thanks, Muv! I just unpacked my 128. I am about to go back to your videos on You Tube, which were very helpful. There will be no guilt in stripping this little gem as the wiring is very bad. I plugged it in and it purrs along, but I hear some electrical "sissing" so won't do too much with it. I want to hand crank it NOW, so will proceed to order a repro one until something better comes along. I am anxious to wind the bobbin and take her for a spin!

That is one of my favorite decals. I hope you post some pictures when you get it set up!

Great news mo-rie! You will have hours of fun with your new machine!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html - Muv, I re-posted your videos to make them easier to find.

Thanks everyone! She is so pretty sitting there on my table. There's a lot of dirt in her nooks and crannies. I loved the bobbin winder, which wasn't too hard to do! She bounced up and down some when I first stitched with her, but did some cleaning and adjusting and that stopped. Tension needs some tweeking. I love the size of the 3/4 size machines. That chrome on the handwheel makes me smile, as does the grape leaf motif on the faceplate and back cover! I will post pictures when I get her cleaned up some. My mom's FW was from 1943 and all that trim is black. My 99k's faceplate it striated, so I wanted a fancy chrome faceplate.

Miriam, thanks for posting the links to the You Tube videos. They are a lifesaver when you don't have a manual. Muv, you are very thorough and it is great to know I can ask you if I am not clear on anything.

The 28/128's are nice little machines, especially if you're going to piece with it using the handcrank. (You don't notice how fast the bobbin runs out! :) )

And the beautiful detailing on the plates is so charming. I have had three 128's, but gave away both of the hand crank versions, one a Roccocco and one a Victorian. I still have one in a treadle with Victorian decals. If I ever found one with nice La Vincendora decals, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

One nice thing about the 99 is that there's one around every corner. There were so many of them made and eventually, one will come along at a price that is right for you. It took four years to find "my" Featherweight, but be patient and you'll get your 99, too. :)

I have a 99 hand crank machine, I just can not get the hang of it. It seems I need both hands to guide the fabric just so. I guess I could learn if I had to but mine sits on the shelf looking pretty most of the time. lol Are there any tips on using a hand crank, maybe I am going about it all wrong...

I love my machines with shuttles....they make a way cool sound while they're sewing! :) To my way of thinking, the shuttle bobbins are no different to use than the round bobbins. You fill the bobbin, load it into the shuttle, pop it into the machine and sew.
I have a 28K handcrank that is fun to use...and I can take it with me if we go dry camping. (Camping without hookups for our camper) I've actually considered taking it to do some piecing in the car on a long trip as well! (Haven't done that yet, but I'm SURE I will!! It will sit on my knees as we go down the road, I've tested the theory here at home. LOL)

Vintage Seamstress,

Go to my Youtube channel (follow the links Miriam has posted above) and find my video about using a seam guide on a vintage machine. Half the reason I made that video was because people kept posting messages saying they couldn't work out how to guide the material with one hand. It isn't difficult.

I have the opposite problem to you. If I'm using a treadle I forget to use my right hand. Sometimes it waves about in the air, other times I am looking for a non-existent handle.

I agree with Muv! You *really* don't need your right hand for guiding fabric...try it on your electric machines! About the only time I really use my right hand is to align fabric when I'm stopped.

Vintage Seamstress,

Also, you might enjoy this thread http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t141394-html

The 4-patches I was making ended up in a doll quilt I made for the August 2011 doll quilt swap.