Handcrank 306K (long)
 

After reading wonderful reviews of the 306K in 2010, the machine below turned up on eBay. At the time, I had no idea of the problem involved with installing a handcrank on this model machine......just liked the look and thought it would be great to have a zigzag machine that cranked. I had never installed a crank, taken off a motor, etc -- true beginner at this point.

The machine arrived with the motor installed (now I know why - to fit the case!) and it was missing several parts - bobbin tension guide, manual, bobbins, cams, attachments, int. bight screw. Mostly that was easily available. The real downside was the upper thread guide, broken, which always shredded the thread after a bit of stitching. The motor is a replacement and only goes very fast. Frustration.

The handcrank confounded me. It obviously was weird, with a big plate at the base that turned the thing at an angle and obviously was not going to fit on the orphan treadle 127 head I acquired. Drat. Cindy Peters must still consider me a crazed loon as I tried to describe the situation to her. The odd handcrank got stuck away in a box.

So lately, running through my list of parts needed, an upper thread guide turned up on eBay. Good. Now the machine could sew, but I also wanted to learn more about it, and searched Quilting Board.

THANK YOU, ThayerRags (CD in Oklahoma)!!!! Your comment a few months ago about the offset connection that caused handcranks to not fit on this machine brought about a real lightbulb moment!

The specially made plate welded to this handcrank makes it fit securely, nicely centered and it works beautifully! The machine is a delight to crank, and so thank you also to someone in Utah who went to the trouble and had the ability to pull off this neat trick.

Dianne in Colorado

Thats a great looking machine in Black. I don't know that I've ever seen a black one. The crank and handwheel looks it came that way ... now I need one.

They come up every so often but about 90% of the ones I've seen are two tone tan/brown.

Thats the colors around here , I did see one in the last few months that was the two tone greenish color. It's like the 301's they just look nicer in Black

The 319s are usually two tone green. They have the so-called typewriter keys.

I would like to see that plate. Is there a place that could duplicate that plate reasonably?

I love that. My new search is "on".....BTW, how does it sew, and does it zig zag good?

Congratulations! You now have unique machine that should also prove to be most useful.

CD in Oklahoma

Those sew great... I would love to be able to hand crank one - I like to play with the stitches and going slow would be of great benefit in tight places - for what ever reason I feel like I have more control with a hand crank than anything else.

That's exactly why I am so pleased with this machine, now that the secret of that odd handcrank was finally determined. Managing to locate the seller on eBay took some digging, but he responded to my email. He says he has modified handcranks for several other machines, trial and error until he got it right. I've no idea if he does this to sell locally, as it appears to be the only sewing machine he has sold on eBay. I wouldn't want to post his name here unless he is interested in manufacturing more of these, and it feels wrong to post a photo without his permission. I will email him again, asking about these issues.

Dianne in Colorado

A 306 hand crank! I've never seen this done and didn't know it's possible. (And you could probably crank it faster than the stock .53 motor. :)) I've found this series of machines stitches really well so congrats that you figured out a way to make it work the way you want. Any problems fitting it into the case with the crank?

Watching CL in my area for about the last 2 years or so, it seems to be a 50/50 split between black and tan. I've purchased two, both black. The 319s seem only to be in sea green two-tone (the 319W -- I never see the others here) and the 206 is only in black.

Very Cool looking hand crank Greyfox!thanks for sharing your pix. So have you sewn anything on it yet? Please report back once you have. I didn't know you could hand crank a ZZ.

So far this machine, since I've gotten the needed parts, has been a joy -- of course, that's only a few days of actual use of the crank. The zigzag and cams I've played with create fine stitches. One caveat is that the bobbins must be wound somewhere else, as the tire is made to ride on the inside edge of the solid wheel. A 'Sidewinder' gizmo does the trick, barely. The stem accepts these bobbins with a good push. It would be nice if the winder moved slower.....I'll try running it with batteries instead of the plug and see if that slows it down.

Who knew playing with sewing machines could be so much fun! I will be using this machine; most of my projects are completed using multiple machines, but this one deserves its own.

Dianne in Colorado

I've been thinking about converting one of my 66's to a hand crank (since i only have one treadle base)and no more room. You've just sold me on it.

Photos
 

The man who created this has no worries about sharing the idea. My husband took a good look at the modification, and said it was created rather simply by welding pieces where needed, and there are gaps here and there. He thinks someone who knows their way around a milling machine could fairly easily make a more elegant version. If you want to pursue this and need measurements let me know. These photos should give you a basic idea.

Dianne in Colorado

That's neat. Thank you for showing it.

CD in Oklahoma