Rewiring Singer 301 pedal - need sheaths?
 

Hi Everyone,

I have an old Bakelite foot pedal for my Singer 301 that I ordered a new cord for. When I went to install the new cord, I stopped and thought I better look up the directions just in case I missed something - my first time at this.

I found directions on Jenny's Sew-Classic site. My old cord doesn't appear to have the sheaths around the cords where it splits into two - see example here:

http://s522.photobucket.com/user/Sew...tep_4.jpg.html

In fact, there isn't much difference in circumference between my old and the new wires and if my old wires even have a sheath on them, it doesn't look like it - see attached pic.

What should I do? I understand the sheath is there to protect against overheating, but if I don't appear to have the sheaths to put onto my new cord...

Thanks for your assistance,

It'd be easy enough to find something that'd do the job. I would make something as a substitute

I would ask Jenny at Sew-Classic.

You should be able to pick up some shrink wrap tubing at your local hardware store. They come in various sizes/lengths (or you can cut to needed length). Slip the tubing over your split wire and heat it up with a hair dryer. Will mold to the wire underneath.

The heat protectors are there on the wires, I can see them in your pic. They are not overly large but they are there. Just gently remove them and work them back over the new cord.

I have several Singer foot controllers that do not have the heat sheaths and so far they haven't melted the wire. Modern electric cord insulation isn't made from the same material as the old stuff was either so it may not be as sensitive to heat.

Joe

There are different sized ones available at your local hardware store in the electrical section. You slip them on the end of the wire and crimp them down. I buy them by the box with several different sizes at Home Depot.

Hi Candace,

Several different sized what? Sheaths? Is that what they're called at the hardware store? Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction, much appreciated. ;-)

Karla

Thanks for your reply, Joel. How do these heat protectors come off my wires?

I did. She suggested reusing the sheath, but I can't figure out how it comes off if it's on my wires. Thanks.

Thanks for the tip. Have heard it mentioned, but reliability was questioned, so waiting on this idea.

Thanks for your reply. Working on a solution.

On the ones I've done, since I'm not reusing the old cord, I just cut the connectors off and slide the heat shields off. Then I've gently flattened the shield and slipped it over the connectors on the new cord.

I think I'll check Candace's suggestion of buying new ones at the hdwr store out. That's an easier way to do it I think.

Joe

They're called electrical crimp connectors like this http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...WKS3g&fr=aaplw

The only problem I've encountered using them, is that if they're not crimped just right they can slide off.

Those are lugs, or wire terminals. Quiltgranny is referring to the heat shield tubing. It is present -- I can see the frayed ends. Joe's suggestion to cut off the old terminals to make the removal easier is a good one. Then after they're off, try to stretch them a little with a phillips screwdriver.

You are correct, Sheila. Thank you for jumping in here, because I wouldn't have known the the other 'lugs' wouldn't have worked. I'm a newbie at this. ;-) I will try your suggestion and report back.

Thanks for the visual and advice, much appreciated.

I guess I misunderstood what the OP was asking for.