The Sewing Place

221k they got me in the end...

Roger

221k they got me in the end...
« on: August 09, 2017, 12:58:18 PM »
I bought a 221k... it just arrived. Lots of parts but no foot pedal in lovely condition except for some cracking in the japanning on the back it's quite a small area. Has bobbins bobbin case and manual and a ys star zigzagger!

Feels pretty stiff so needs a good clean and oil!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

arrow

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2017, 16:23:03 PM »
Congratulations, I'm a bit emvious, and very happy you have one. I'm hoping we get to know more about it :- )

b15erk

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2017, 16:39:29 PM »
Glad to hear it's not just me Roger!  Don't make the same mistake I made though - if I was you, I'd take the capacitor out first as last..... :S ;)

Hope she runs beautifully for you.  :)

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Surest1tch

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2017, 19:34:08 PM »
 0_0

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Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2017, 20:56:50 PM »
My 99 once went out with a bang, blew a fuse and I jumped. It turned out to be capacitor and desparate need for rewiring (dates to 1934). I was told to throw the hole thing out, old electrics, out dated, and all that. After a bit of thought I decided to give it a chance and hand it in for repair, and it came back fine. Almost all machines older than the mid 1950s need rewiring, 1930s machine is usually shockingly risky. There's usually very little wrong with these old machine, and I have started to think of wiring as spendable parts like bobbin tyres and motor belts.

Roger

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2017, 22:58:14 PM »
Thank you!

my elna grass hopper put the wind up me, I changed the wire on it as the insulation was melted in places and scary (possibly been too close to a iron) turn it on gave it a gentle run it was sounding lovely suddenly there was a bit of a pop and I kid you not... a smoke ring out of the motor ventilation.... apparently according to the internet this is not uncommon behaviour and just needs a spot more running in! still runs fine and the kids love it! the knee bar is perfect for them.

Im looking forward to giving the 221 a good sort out... but I'm studying for an exam at the moment... so I have to resist!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Roger

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2017, 13:57:54 PM »
I've done a little digging...
its a 1952 221k4 (has a little switch on the lamp :) and in general looks very tidy and actually pretty clean, relatively speaking, bit stiff though needs a good oil and a clean
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

b15erk

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2017, 14:37:50 PM »
Yours is a year older than mine Roger, but sounds very similar, mine has the light switch too.  Mine also looked very clean - until I got underneath it!  Under the feed dogs was full of compressed lint!

Hope all goes well with your test run.  I'm waiting for my machine man before I try mine again  ;)

Does your box have the tray or the little box at the side?  Mine has the box at the side.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Roger

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2017, 14:57:30 PM »
I hadnt expected the light switch and for some reason it makes me very happy:)

I bet theres some good solid grot in there somewhere :) I've already spotted the brown oil/grease

The little box is very cute and it does have the tray, which is rather nice. One of the clasps needs firm treatment though!

I thought I had a power cable that would work with it but the one I had in mind isn't going to. so thats going to have to wait but the electrics look in a decent state.

R.

A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Roger

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2017, 16:33:25 PM »
I've given it a clean through and it's surprisingly clean, and oiled it, the pressie foot was stuck but a little tug and it came free, a little oil and it's as expected, the decals are in great condition, shame about the strange cracking.

I got something like almost 20 colours of thread of 5 bobbins...

And there's a giant silver capacitor in the base!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Holly Berry

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2017, 20:55:27 PM »
My Featherweight had 2 capacitors, one in the pedal and one under the machine. I took both out.
Congratulations, I'm a bit emvious, and very happy you have one. I'm hoping we get to know more about it :- )

If you get the opportunity Arrow, go for it they are wonderful little machines.
Procrastination get behind me

b15erk

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2017, 08:58:20 AM »
Whereabouts under the base did you find the capacitor Roger?  I've cleaned everything under there, but I can't see anything which looks like a capacitor.

I have some crackling on the light, I think it's because it gets hot, I'm going to try a different bulb.

I'm going to have  a go at the box next week while I'm waiting for Bob Green, there's a bit of loose fabric inside, and the outside bottom fabric needs sticking down.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Holly Berry

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2017, 13:08:44 PM »
Here it is Jessie http://thefeatherweight221factory.com/page43.php

I haven't looked in the motor so don't know if there's one in there as well. I will wait until something happens before I investigate, after opening the motor on my 15k and finding the washers on the shaft had disintegrated.
Procrastination get behind me

Roger

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2017, 16:13:12 PM »
Thanks Holly,

That's what I was reading too,

I'll take some pics later too.
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Roger

Re: 221k they got me in the end...
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2017, 22:21:29 PM »
Some pretty pics!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132