OurWorkbench

The 128-23 that I spoke about at Singer 128 withcoffin topcarrying case is the godzilla finish. There were a couple of others that did as well. I think there was a 128-8 and another one, too.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do

themadpatter

I have a 128 with a hand crank. Aren't they just the cutest little machines?

The bobbins actually look like most bobbins do, if you count the ones used for weaving, which used bobbins long before sewing machines were invented. So, they just used a tiny version of what "bobbin" meant to them atbthe time. What we should be in awe of was the first person who thought about making bobbins with bigger ends and a shorter shaft, and using them without a shuttle. That was definitely thinking put side the boat. Or box, as it were. (The part that holds the bobbin used for hand looms is called a boat shuttle, and the ones for the 128 look like tiny baby ones with fancy machined attachment devices.)

leonf

[ATTACH=CONFIG]601267[/ATTACH] The shuttles on the right are tiny boat shuttles very similar to weaving. These are from transverse shuttle machines. Shuttles in the middle are from vibrating shuttle machines.

sorry that the pic is tiny. No easy way to find the original.

RickS

Just wanted to say thanks for the great information in this thread. My go to machine is a PFAFF 130, but I was at a flea market and saw a gorgeous singer I couldn't pass up. Turns out is is a Singer 128 with knee control. I'm going to rewire it to check the motor out, and thanks to you, I now know where to get extra bobbins, a belt, and bobbin winder tire. I bought it to sell down the road or trade, but it is so pretty, I will probably keep it. If the motor has problems I have the treadle base I used for my PFAFF, it now has a motor on it. It will be fun cleaning, lubing, and learning how to use this machine. Thanks again.

leonf

well done, rickS. You have joined the world of VS machines. They are a lot of fun and modern sewists think bobbins have always been round.

Cari-in-Oly

Very pretty machine Rick, but just so you know it won't fit in your Pfaff treadle. The Singer is a 3/4 size machine and the Pfaff is a full size machine.

Cari

RickS

Thanks, didn't think of that. When I got the PFAFF I had my grandmothers singer treadle cabinet, It fit perfect. Do they make bases for 3/4 machines?

Mickey2

There are 3/4 treadles, but they aren't that common and usually comes with a machine. It's a bit more common to find a 3/4 cabinet for an electrical machine. The motor and lamp on these are usually in good condition, but the wiring often needs replacing. Much the same for the controller, some take the bother to open them and clean each individual carbon disk and put them back in. If you do, do it carefully they are brittle. I like the wooden bases with bent wood top, no need to replace it. I use my 99 regularly, and it's because I had it rewired a few years ago.

RickS

When I redo the wiring is there a retro style wiring that looks like the old wire, or should I just use any wiring or plug? I would like to do it right and I don't want to burn it up because I didn't replace a plug or controller I should have. I would also hate to be disrespectful to a almost 100 year old machine.

Mickey2

Yes there are, search for ordinary lamp wire, but choose the one with most copper strands, some are very flimsy. All the cloth covered wires I have seen have been of good quality, and inside they have modern standard insulation. You can probably find some in a good lamp shop, maybe a local hard ware shop. There are two core wires, and twisted available. You might need to unwind a bit of twisted wire for the motor, I'm not sure. The old type had two single wires entering the speed controller copartment, the later version had a single two core wire. By 1950 most had some type of pvc or plastic insulation, but 1930s and earlier tend to have cloth covered wiring. I think the US made with rayon woven cloth outer part might be the nicest ones. Most of the Asian made stuff have polyester woven outer part.