My new Singer 201-2, wiring problems
 

I rescued another sewing machine today. This one is a 1951 Singer 201-2. This first thing I need to take care of is the wiring. The pedal wire is badly frayed where it attaches to the machine and the power cord is frayed where it attaches to the connector to the machine. The only other thing is a missing thumb screw on the stitch regulator. I can get a new power cord from Sew Classic but I don't know where to begin to replace the pedal wire where it attaches to the machine (that's been no man's land for me so far). Here are photos of the machine, wiring, and the goodies that came with it. Can anyone identify the black attachment with all the different knobs on the right (it has Simanco 180981 stamped on it)? It looks like a zigzagger but it has cams with it that look like other stitches too.

That is a zigzagger with the red cam on the top. But those other cams go to a different machine. They don't go together.

Jenny at sew-classic can help you with what you need to fix the wires. While you are at it check the cord from the lamp that runs to the cord block. The lamp cord is usually sticky or cracked because of the old grease in the grease cups. 201's are nice machines. Very quiet.

Joyce,

Your 201 was originally a cabinet machine. The wiring for the controller coming out of the back of the cord block on the machine is the telling detail.

The wiring for an original portable would use this wire set:
{ http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Cord...ers-SCE123.htm }
And it's not too hard to convert it. All you need to do is make sure the motor and light wires are in the correct place at the back of the cord block.

To rewire it the way it is now use these wires:
Cord block to wall socket:
{ http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Cord...ORE-SCE122.htm }

Cord block to foot or knee controller:
{ http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/Cord...rol-SCE510.htm }

Hope this helps a bit.

Joe

^ He's right. Check that motor area thoroughly. Every 201 or 15-91 that I collected 10 years ago or recently bought has insulation flaking off it now. It's just at the end of it's service life and I think all of mine need a complete rewire now, motors & all. Ugh. The power cords are easy as pie, especially if just buy a new cord or cord set and don't do it the more tedious way of rewiring it using cut-up extension cords.

Well, I don't see where you set the zig-zagger width. Are you sure it is a zz? OH, I MISREAD THE MESSAGE. SORRY!

The man I bought this machine from said his mother was the original owner and, yes, he told me it was originally in a cabinet but his sister put it in the portable case in later years. Since I posted this I've been doing some reading and see there have been a lot of wiring problems with the 201 as you said MadCow. With the condition of theses electric wires I haven't even plugged it in. I'm wondering if I should replace the foot pedal wires and the motor to wall cord and then try it and see what happens or should I just replace the motor also while I'm at it.

Replace whatever wires are cracked or appear unsafe including those in the motor. The wiring is the only part of the black Singers that doesn't hold up and is pretty easy to replace with very basic wiring skills. For a portable use a double lead cord and save yourself some wiring.

Jon

The little black item with the white cap is a buttonholer. You can see the templates (gray) in the box that make different size button holes. I have one with my 201 and the other 1 with the red cap is with my machine also and had different zigzag sizes as illustrated on the top of the cams. You got a nice haul there. I would replace all the wiring with new and not from extension cords either. My hubby has redone the wiring on some of my machines.

Rain has good info on his blog:
http://vssmb.blogspot.com/
You might have do read the whole blog to find it... :thumbup:

I have Helen, my grandmothers 201-3 from 1951-2 and some years ago I had to replace wires, went to singer store, but the set of wires and with a screwdrive it took about 10-15 minutes. IF you find motor doesn't work, then replace, but why if it works fine, just get the new wires, put them on and let us know how she goes. Great machines.

You folks are wonderful - as usual. I'm ordering the replacement wires and will see what happens. Wish me luck that it is the only problem. It really is a nice machine and I'm looking forward to using it.

Joyce,

Besides Rains tute for rewiring the potted motors, linked up above, here's a few comments I made when I did a 15-91 potted motor:
{ http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...r-t205360.html }

Joe

Just looking at my machines... I have 3 different machines
 

Just found your site. I have 3 machines...
the newest I inherited from my late Mother in Law... it's a Touch & Sew 648. I found out, one of the gears, to the right of the cam, has broken. I was in the middle of making some masks for Hubby and I.
I thought, some one up there, thinks it's time for me to get my Way older machines, out of the shed. I have a Manual #127 shuttle bobbin and according to ISMACS.net and it's serial number ( B353288 ) it was made May 14th 1904.
it has a 5 draw cabinet. The table top had been in a picture window and when it rained, it leaked on it. BUT the machine was Puff !
I recieved this as payment for helping to do a house clean out. It still had the puzzle box with it .
I also picked up a machine from my 83 yr old cousin. The machine only had one owner... her mother, who passed away 5 years ago at the age of 103. The cousin didn't use it and I thought I could pick up some extra attachments, if I took it.
It comes in the original #40 cabinet.
It came with 2 booklets. One for Singer electric machines class 201-2. The other Booklet for electric machines
101-3 & 101-11. I searched ( via mobile) the ISMACS site.. it looks confusing...
It looked like it might be a #201-2.
But I went out to the shed and looked over the booklets again and it looks like I have a 101-3.
The wiring from the wall plug to the 3 prong Singer plug, is all falling apart.
Being as it was more than likely made,
about 1927 ( series # AB786114) and it only had one owner ( my great aunt) should I think about going over the wires, from the motor, out the bottom of the machine and down to the 3 prong singer plug, at the back of the cabinet?
replaceing the wire from the 3 prong Singer plug, to the wall, is a definite yes, for replacement.
The great aunt was using white surgical cloth tape, to tape over any bare wires...
and there is lots of it. Lololo
Anyway, I've been bad... very bad to my old machines, putting them in the shed, until I could get to them. And now they need a Good Cleaning.
On the up side... everything on both old Singers, moves freely and under the motor cover, looks like it's brand new.
I did see the Blog of the guy that did the potted motor overhaul. But my motor mounts on the back of the machine and the wires come out 2 holes in the base.
I also should mention, that the flywheel is
3 3/4" in diam. Not quite 4 ". No spokes.

I did take multiple picts.
I'll have to figure out how to post them.

Thanks for the input.
have a wonderful day. :-)
Jen

The Singer 101 is a fine machine, and well worth repairs, which you can likely do yourself. At victoriansweatshop.com there are several people who are very knowledgeable and helpful regarding the 101. Stop in, introduce yourself, and browse through some of the existing threads on the 101. You'll see why people love it. Start a new thread for your 101 repairs, that way your questions won't get buried.

Welcome, Jen.

I think gears are available for the 648 at https://store.tandtrepair.com/gears.html At least that is the site that many have referred to, especially for slant shanks. There may be a delay, due to the fact that they are not located in mainland USA and because of the pandemic.

I think you might have a typo as you have a 1904 #27, with puzzle box. Nice. The 127's did not show up until about 8-9 years later.

A lot of the attachments for the 27 will fit on the 101.

We like pictures. You will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button,

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)