Introducing "Shorty" - Wheeler & Wilson #9 Shortbed Handcrank
 

With the help (and prodding) of a fellow QB member, I picked this little gem up on Saturday.

I was on my way to Placerville to help my Knight move (soooooo tired and sore today....) so I have not had a chance to do anything other than take pictures and show it off a little.

ANY vestiges of desire that I may have felt to acquire a Featherweight have now been thoroughly erased.

This is a Wheeler & Wilson #9 Shortbed. It is 3" shorter side to side than a typical #9. Uses the same bobbins and needle.

This unit has not been oiled in at least 4 years according to the seller so is a little stiff and the bed has a break that I will need to fix (hopefully tonight)

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Here are a couple of shots comparing it to a W&W #9 Standard
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and comparing it to a Featherweight...

BOTH are exactly 5 1/8" from needle to pillar... But the W&W is WAY taller.

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What does the knob on the case do? I've got the lever, and I think I've got the inside parts for the knob - but no knob. Could not figure out what it would do though. . .

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It's the machine release I'm missing - probably something inside the case also. I think that small metal tube below the lever may be for locking the case.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps836955c3.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psf663ded9.jpg

Here are some other pictures of my case that is missing pieces.

one side of the top - didn't know if this had something different for around the lever.


http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psqqiglrff.jpg


the cover for the accessory box - though the brace is still there (so are the nails!)
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the back side of the base

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pslolle11o.jpg

WHAT a beauty!!!

I love it!

It's such a little cutie! I can't see the break in the base--is it bad? So you have no desire for a Featherweight--why? Is it because this is so much better? Or is it because you hate small sized machines?

If you look at the picture showing the tape measure - look at the stitch length selector, and you'll see the crack going from there to the front, and then towards the back right at the base on of the pillar, so the corner of the machine bed is cracked.

It's very nice to see a machine go to someone that can fix that damage, and not see it end up going to the dump because it's broken.

I'm glad the first person in line decided the break was a deal breaker so Steve could get this machine - and help me figure out what is needed to get my case fixed up.

LOVE it! Trade ya two Featherweights for it .... :p Sorry, had to at least try....:o

What a cutie!!! I just love it.

Ok, last night was a little hectic (we had another seizure episode with my old Husky) but I was able to play with the machine a little to unwind.

1. Cathy was 100% correct, that little hole is the lock. After using tweezers to pull out the majority of the crud, and a q-tip wrapped with 0000 steel wool, and then a q-tip with oil to clean up, it actually works!!!! I even have a key that it likes. The lock is a pawl that when you move the case release to the left and turn the key it prevents the arm from coming back to release. TOO COOL!

2. that front board is only 3/8" inch thick and has a simple shape. I can make that and the parts lid very easily. Would you prefer to have me draft them up for you to make or just make it and send you the raw wood to mount and stain to match?

3. The left slide plate is a simple rectangle but it has a flat spring underneath similar to a 66. Again, I have the Slide steel and the spring steel so I can make you one if you want.

4. The machine release pin I can make as well, but I will need to disassemble mine to see how it is shaped inside and how the spring mounts/retains it. I will get to that probably tonight.

Sorry to hear about your dog - sure is tough when they get older and start having old age issues. I sure wish our pets were with us a lot longer.

As to the other stuff - I was wonder if it would be better to replace the whole bottom of the case instead of the broken off edges. Based on what yours looks like, what do you think?

For the wood - plans would be great - and a lot cheaper to ship (or email). the metal parts you'll need to make. But there is no rush on this - I know eventually you'll get to it - it's not like I haven't gotten more than enough to keep me busy for months (or years).

Heck, I love small machines. (not toys, but real machines)

So, why would I NOT trade it for two featherweights?(sorry lovelyl)
(I confess, I would actually have to consider it if I was offered a 222 for it)

Because it is close to if not actually within the time frame of my collection
(W&W records after 1876 are all lost, but I suspect this machine was made between 1901 and 1903)

Because it is just as powerful as the full sized W&W #9 but is a the size of a featherweight.

Because you will find 500-1000 featherweights before you find one of these.

and finally, because it is a real 3:1 handcrank, which is not available for the 221/222

Actually there is no way "I" would replace the bottom of yours from what I have seen in the pic. It looks like the single board is just missing.
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Here is the outside again. do you have the insert that the release pin goes into?
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this is what it look like from the inside
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and what it engages to hold the bed down
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Last pic, the lid up close
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It's not the bottom of the lid, but the bottom of the lower section I'm talking about. I agree it would be strange to do more to the lid other than replace the missing piece.

However, the lip of my base is busted off on three sides - it's only there on the short back end side. that's why I'm wondering if it may be best to removed what is there and start with a whole piece. It might be required anyway, so I can true up the edge to glue to.

I can't get my lid to latch unless I've very, very careful about getting it lined up correctly without the lip for it to rest on.

Ahh, I see now. It is the base edge issue. Ok, let me look closer at that tonight... Sorry, I assumed you were talking about the top. My Bad...

I'll need a trace of the outline of the base, and if possible, a profile of the edge. Hopefully DH already has a router bit with a close enough profile to use. I'll take more pictures when I get home.

Steve,

How are you going to repair the crack in the machine base?

Joe

Joe, I am 90% sure I will be removing the broken portion, cleaning the edge to bare metal (without "dulling it" is the challenge) and the doing JB weld on the seam (Red line). Once set (3-5 days to be sure) then I will apply a couple of small patches of material (Gray) across the bottom (most likely steel) that will also be JB welded into place as a brace.

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here are the base photos. It is a single slab of wood on mine
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the needle
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the repair has begun
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[ATTACH=CONFIG]516858[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]516859[/ATTACH]I picked this up yesterday, is this the entire bobbin case and what size bobbin does it take? The poor thing was on the floor in the back of antique store.

Steve congrats on getting that machine! I think it's far cooler than any featherweight out there except maybe the 222.
Rodney

Thanks, I agree 100% I even passed up on a featherweight with case for $200 at the local swap meet. It just seemed so "wimpy" when comparing to the D9

A very pretty machine, and the height will be really helpful if you piece large bits of fabric together. I love the wooden base and the case as well!

Steve, that is such a great find! So glad you are able to fix her and make her right....
I love my featherweights, but Wheeler Wilsons are high on my want list.

Helen Ann - I saw your post while I was at work and couldn't go look at my machine - then forgot about it when I got home.

I was hoping SteveH might have answered - but it looks like he got distracted too.

It looks like yours has everything, though the three I have are a bit different, so not sure there. There is no bobbin case, that little "finger" pulls forward and the bobbin slips on it, and then the finger clips back in place to hold it there. It's a unique looking bobbin, sort of "donut shaped"

I did a quick search on eBay to find a picture - so have no comment on the seller or price - only to show what they look like.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Antique...item56734bff83

I thought I had.. odd. Sorry about that. Yes, it is all there from what I can see. If you need bobbin(s), PM me, I'll arrange to send you a couple free of charge