knee lever controllers
 

FYI I posted 4 pics of knee control options. They show a couple of different kinds. A quick release holder for a controller that could be used at the knee or taken off for the floor. One bizarre one that would be operated by the kneecap as one leaned forward under that machine. I am certain that Singer would not have done that. And yes, bright eyed folks, that is a 28 Godzilla in a stock cabinet. Sorry they are twisted. https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...bums20143.html

Again...rookie question, but I'm assuming a knee lever can be added to a foot pedal operated machine? I bought a 66-18 and the cord of the foot pedal is crazy short - I had to drop it straight down through the leaves of my table and it barely reached. Would much prefer a knee lever. I guess I'd have to put it in a cabinet or a base with a hole for the lever.
And I seriously can't believe someone would want to have a pedal/lever activated with knee press! I suppose if someone had hip issues and couldn't externally rotate their hip, then another option might be needed - but for the general public, that's a design fail. I'd have to seriously evaluate how badly I needed something sewn!

You can easily replace the cord to any length you need. The knee levers leonf has picture of are for the later type cabinets, and singer had these clamp like devices for the button controller. They work well, I'm not sure when it comes to compatability for other brands. Earlier cabinets had a different type of knee lever, much the same for the bent wood cased models.

In 1956, I bought a 301 to make maternity clothes. A friend made a cabinet for it. It looks like a desk with the machine mounted flush with the top. The foot pedal is mounted onto the side wall of the chair cavity and a wooden paddle was mounted there that could be pushed with my knee to press the button on the control. That worked wonderfully all these years.

The sewing machine can be stored in a double deep drawer on the right side and the hole in the desk top gets filled with a board made to fit. Then I have a desk, which I now use for my computer. I can have the computer on there; put the sewing machine in front of it and use them both at the same time. Or at least I can watch a quilt demo while sewing the project.

I find that I can more easily regulate speed with a knee lever than with a foot control. I have no joint issues, and have only started using a knee lever in the last 6 months.

I have learned that not all knee levers are created equal. I have a 15-90 in a #40 cabinet with an awkward lever, and a 66-16 in a #40 with a very ergonomic lever. The 15-91 in the...treadle looking cabinet with the straight legs is also very comfortable.

The 101, tho, is in a #40 library table, and that lever looks much like a dog-leg tongue depressor, and it is mounted on the left! I have not tried this one yet.

Left mounted...Interesting. After my dad lost his leg he had a left mount gas pedal installed in his car.

The left mount knee lever on the 101 is original. Apparently it was a short lived design feature.

I have a 301 in original cabinet that has the knee lever...Love it and I too have more control using it versus the foot