Newest adoptee - Singer 328K
 

We got a new ( to us ) Singer 328K last Friday. Came from GW on line. Aluminum body with all steel insides. No plastic junk to give up at the worst moment. It uses flat cams and came with it's #1 ZZ cam and the retaining knob. We have all the flat cams made I believe so we have that end covered. It uses low shank feet and accessories and class 66 bobbins so that makes things easy.

Here is some pics of our new adoptee:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ginalfront.jpg
Once I got the machine out of the box I jumped right on cleaning and fixing and forgot to take some "before" pics. So here is the front view from GW. You can see the one broken spool pin on top, the one on the bed is missing and the machine is pretty grimy. But it turned .... very reluctantly though.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...eltremains.jpg
Turns out the belt had disintegrated. Parts of it were falling out all over the place and some of it was stuck to the pulleys. This is all that's left of it. I didn't have an exact replacement belt but I had a used one that will work till I can get a replacement.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../Sample_3.jpeg
Front end.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../Sample_2.jpeg
Back end.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../Sample_5.jpeg
Pointy end.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o.../Sample_0.jpeg
Round end.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...apdooropen.jpg
Trap door open to show the cam and retaining knob.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...osionontop.jpg
Corrosion on the top.

I had to make the spool pins cos I didn't have any new ones. I used the acetal rod my wife uses in her pet tents.
Worked good. Made mine a quarter inch longer than the originals.

I still need a new motor belt and a set of rubber feet for the bottom and a case. Those I'll get eventually.

You can see the corrosion on the top cover and the motor cover if you look close. I'll be sanding and painting that eventually.
After cleaning the machine sewed very well. She's a bit noisy but she came from FL and from the dirt, grime, nicotine, and corrosion I'd say she spent a long time out in a shed or somewhere exposed to salt air. Cleaning the dirt and grime off was a lot easier than the nicotine. But she's cleaned up and sewing now.

Just have to decide what to make; a whacky bag, a lap quilt?

Joe

Joe, I just want to say how much I value your opinion on all things sewing machines, and your generosity in the giving of your knowledge! I don't know if anyone has ever thanked you, for all you do for all of us.

So here it is: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hey folks, Joe asked me a couple of questions about cleaning up this type of thing, so I though I would share here.

Glad to. First off, I almost NEVER use a paint stripper. I really do not like the fumes. I almost always use a wire-wheel mounted on my 1/2 hp buffer. With that said, when I do use stripper I use "Aircraft remover" (I love the name)

That stuff took the finish off of a 1966 Barracuda to the undercoating in one pass. Watching the paint wrinkle up and literally fall off the sides of the vehicle was amazing... and provided me with a profound respect for what this stuff can do.

One word of caution, Aluminum is not good for the human body, so when you strip or sand be sure to wear protection, especially breathing protection...

Also, when wire wheeling ALWAYS wear goggles or a face shield. I use a shield most of the time because I got tired of having a wire fly out and stick into my face...

I usually use simple Krylon paint for most projects. It is a paint and primer in one product.

I am redoing a Craftsman 109 Lathe right now, and the gear cover you see on the back left is aluminum. It has a huge molding defect in it but since I am not making a show piece, I just painted it. If I wanted it to be smooth, I would have "leaded" it with solder and filed/sanded smooth. (Again Lead is very toxic, so be careful)

The bed with rails in the foreground shows what it looked like when I started.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]404595[/ATTACH]

Very similar to my 327 which I got new in 1964 and still have. More features on yours though. Enjoy!

Steve,

Thanks for the tips. I dont' have a buffer, but I do have the Aircraft Aluminum stripper. After that I've got some fine sand paper for the rough parts.

I've used Krylon a lot. It's great stuff. I'm hoping I can find a color match for the machine.

All this will be done outside after the weather warms up a bit.

Joe

So, you bought a spool of red thread and the machine was thrown in for free, right! Great machine!

I have never come across any machines in all the garage sales I go to and thrift shops, etc. You people are so lucky!
peace

I really like the 328's, there's something about them that is so nice, kinda a transition model but they can do everything. Enjoy!

Amen!
 

The is a second to the above THANK YOU!!

I have noticed something about this machine. There is no light switch. All of the machines I've seen on various sites, and in the owners manual, have a light switch just above the light on the front of the machine. This one doesn't.

I wonder why?

Joe

Joe,

Cost cutting. Singer was saving money. The 328 was a low end machine in it's day. Low end or not, it beats today's TOL. VBG

Cathy

Well, then lets look this thing over. According to the serial number, this is a first year production machine, 1963. If the switch was dropped from the model, other machines with the switch should have come before this one.

So .... was that a cost cutting thing, or did they add the switch later - or, were those switches added by the LSMG for the owners later?
My theory is that the switch was added later as the manual I downloaded from Singer shows the switch.

At any rate, this is the only machine I've got that does not have some form of switch for the light.

I do believe I may add one in the near future.

Joe

Joe,

I have had quite a few of these pass through my hands. I haven't had any with a light switch. I didn't know they ever came with one. I learn something day.

Cathy

Cathy,

Hmmmm, that is very interesting. Here is a scan of the picture page for the owners manual I downloaded for the machine. It was date coded; 664.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]404958[/ATTACH]

I marked the switch in red.

Now I need to find a picture of one with the top off so I can figure out how to do a factory like installation.

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the picture. I have a friend with a few of these. If they have the switch I'll get an inside picture for you.

Cathy




Now I need to find a picture of one with the top off so I can figure out how to do a factory like installation.

Joe

Cathy,

Thanks. I'm sure it's fairly simple, I just want it to look right if I do it.

Joe

I've got one too! No light switch.
I haven't had time to start cleaning and investigating my 328P (made in Penrith, NSW, Australia) but it does 'go' and it has the signature "tractor" sound. I'm curious to know if they ever sound much better than that, as when I was researching the machine a couple of people had made a comment about it. I also learned that they have the slot to be converted to treadle, which is what sent me madly trying to find a treadle table to mount it in - and instead I ended up becoming a mad collector!! Hee hee.
But I am fascinated by the 328 and would love to know how you go with yours, Joe. I didn't really want to pay to have it professionally serviced because I don't really need it for sewing and (more importantly) I wouldn't learn anything THAT way!
Cheers,
Amelia

Amelia,

I cleaned mine internally then oiled, oiled, oiled, and greased it. It was bone dry. It is noisy to a point, but all of our Singer ZZs from the 50s on up are noisier than their Japanese contemporaries. I think it's just the nature of them.

Mine is electric, but I also went for it because it can be treadled. And because it uses cams for the decorative stitches, no internal cam stack or mechanism. We have a full set + of flat cams so anything we want is basically at hand.
Some point this coming year I'll set it up in a treadle and see how it works out. But for now it's sewing away as an e-machine.

Oh, and the more you use them, the quieter they get ... to a point. They are never really quiet.

Joe

Amelia,

You're pic didn't come through.

Strange about the light switch. I wonder what the variation is or was between those with and without the switch.

Joe

Joe,

In a nut shell here is my theory on this. Singer put out a 'cheap' machine without a light switch. The Singer stores and techs started complaining. Singer then added the switch. Probably it was to save face, since they realized that it was hurting their reputation.

Cathy

Cathy,

I suspect you are right. That makes a lot of sense.

Joe

Joe,

I got my hands on a 328K with the light stitch. Here are a few pictures. It looks like the inside connectors have been
changed. I believe that the switch is probably original.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]405585[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]405586[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]405587[/ATTACH]

Cathy

Cathy,

Thanks a bunch. That is pretty much how I thought it would be wired. I might even have a switch around here to do that with.

Joe

Well, my newest adoptee needed a new belt. I tried all I had here and none fit. So I ordered one from Sew-Classic. Her chart says a 193077 fits the 328s. Well when it got here yesterday it did fit, but loosely even with the adjuster all the way out. Hmmmm, well I can use that belt on other machines so no biggie.

Today I went to the LSMG and his book said the same thing and his 193077 was too loose too. We ended up using an Alpha-Sew 1514 belt even though I didn't really want an orange cogged belt.

We discussed the light switch issue and he said there was three machines in that series. The 327, 328, and 329. His comment was the light switch was on one of the other series. Not sure I agree with him as the machine Mizkaki showed is a 328 with a switch.
I think, believe, my theory that the switch was a production change that came later in the model is more likely.

Joe

301's don't have a light switch either or an on and off switch .......just plug them in & go!
Peg

I haven't seen one with a switch either. Great machine though. Not the top of the line but better than what you can buy now days.

I bought a Singer 328K brand new about 1963. It has no light switch nor do my newer machines - a Juki TL98QE - without the extension table and my Baby Lock Jane. My manual for the 328K looks much different from the one shown here. Mine has an old 1950s panel truck used for deliveries at that time a Singer Sewing Machine Shop. I'm not sure if they refer to it as a style-o-matic or not. I have about a million miles on it and the original belt is still in good condition and is not a plastic cogged belt. I have all the cams and everything else that it came with. I sewed clothes for myself and three kids plus pieced several quilts and made doll clothes. The kids got older and didn't want to wear homemade clothes. It is safe to say I used it for the better part of 30 years. It still works very well, only serviced about 3-4 times. Some was my fault. I kept it oiled and greased. I think the foot pedal was replaced because it would get hot. I paid $300.00 at least for it - not considered low end for that year. Today that would convert to over$ 2,000.00. I can't be exact until I find the receipt for it. I'm at work and not sure when I will remember to look for it. Not everything on the 'net is true and exact. Just my 2 cents worth.
Mine has a metal tag on the front saying "made in Great Britain"

Jingle,

Thanks for the review on the 328. I see nothing about this machine that would make me think it was a second line. The one I got was ... well not abused but not taken care of. By the rust and corrosion on it, and the decayed belt, I'd say it was stored in an environment hostile to the plastic the belt was made of, and near salt water.
The top and motor cover will be painted in the near future. The damaged paint on it even bugs me.

I've got it cleaned up and working now. The black V-belt is working well and unless it stretches should be no trouble.

I've started a Whacky Bag with it, and have been corralling all our flat cams to do a test pattern with it. So far it's working really good. I've got #s 1-31 and #37 so that about covers most of them I think.

I don't know what I'm going to do with this machine, I guess if I keep it I might put it in a treadle cabinet. It would full fill that task very well.

$300.00 new in 63 was a chunk of cash. Not a second line of merchandise at all to my way of thinking.

Joe

I just picked up a 328 at an Estate Sale. It doesn't have a light switch. It is in a portable case, but the latch on one side is broken. For the life of me I can't get it out of the plastic bottom case. I wanted to clean it and oil it. The machine itself doesn't really look used.....not a scratch, however, there was sooooooo much lint packed in around the bobbin area, I know it was used a lot. It is rather loud..........another reason I was wanting in there to oil the bottom. It came with some cams.

can you shoot a pic of the bottom? Some of them have screws in the middle of the base and others are held on by the feet. Some times both.

I have a 328P (made in Australia) and had the same issue. There is a long bolt holding it on, as Miriam has suggested.
If you need a manual, PM me as I have an original :)

I had a 327k that I got in the summer of 1964. It had the light switch like your picture. It did not have any cams, just the built in zigzag. Used it for many years.