Singer 99 with Chinese Hand Crank
 

Previously, I wrote about buying a Singer 99 with a bentwood case off an ad on Craigslist here. Now I have added a reproduction hand crank I bought from Sew Classic.

First off, I ordered the crank on Saturday - and received it the following Monday! Thanks Jenny.

Now the crank. I had read that it wasn't up to the quality of an original Singer crank. Yes, there are "fit and finish" details that don't compare with Singer quality, but the crank I received is an acceptable substitute. Except for one thing. As Miriam wrote, the case won't close. This being a 3/4 size machine, the case is also smaller. Thus the crank, made for a full-sized machine, sticks out about a quarter inch too much.

The handle isn't the problem, it swings up so the handle is facing the other way. It's the posts that attach the handle to the machine that are in the way. I'll post photos below.

Tate

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So glad to hear that the crank works but bummer that you cannot put the lid on the case with the crank on the machine. That would be disappointing to me also as I would then have to find a place to store (and cover) the machine and lid separately. Storage is at a premium in our downsized house. Wouldn't you think that the Chinese would have come up with a slightlly shorter setup for all those 3/4 machines out there in Bento Boxes? Guess there is no way to fix this issue either, right ..... other than taking the crank off every time you want to put the lid on?

CD cut a 2 or 3 inch hole with a hole saw in the case at the strategic location then covered the outside with a plate. (Cd left QB when someone didn't get his jokes. A lot of others left to go to the vintage sweat shoppe forum SteveH started a few weeks ago.) Back to subject. My husband cut holes on some of my cases and it works just fine. I didn't have a sewing machine hole rear cover from a 27 to spare but I was able to find a wood cut out that fit nicely.

One other modification I do on mine. I but clear tubing from the hardware store and replace the rubber thing that goes on the finger that goes between the spokes. I may have used two sizes, one inside the other.

Miriam I need to do this to my Brother hand crank. Part of the noisiness of this machine is that the finger isn't snug between the spokes. I was thinking of using a fat rubber band and just wrapping it around the finger till it's tight.

Cari

Miriam has a valuable skill from "experience", a valuable skill indeed.

Sort of a shame to drill out a nice old bentwood case so a Chinese HC will fit, though I understand it. Doesn't take much time to remove and reinstall. Perhaps an original HC will turn up and then you'd be left with a hole in the case.

Jon

I found, accidentally, when refinishing wooden cases, that it is just so easy to throw the machine in a rolling case to take it along. It holds everything you need for sewing at remote locations and is easier than lugging that heavy case that really contributes "nothing".

Cari, I had to buy two sizes - one to fit on the finger and a bigger one to fit over that and fill in the space. I use a half inch more or less.

Jon, Yup it does seem like a waste but it works and I haven't seen an original. We must have had electric real early around here... A lot of the cases I've seen weren't all that great any way. If one was pristine I would think twice. And there have been a few that actually closed with out modification.

Those who asked, SteveH can send a link to his forum just shoot a pm to him.

I am in this school of thought also. Don't think I could bring myself to drill a hole in the case for some cheap Chinese crank even if it does work especially if it is a nice case to begin with. Plus I would probably bang the crank handle that is sticking out a bit into something and break it or the lid or the something I bumped into. Guess I will have to think about this some more or get very lucky and find an original handcrank I can afford.