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Messages - Radiofan

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16
Vintage Machines / Re: I won an eBay Singer 306!
« on: August 22, 2019, 18:37:58 PM »
Please could you point me to the exact law that says that I should replace the capacitor?
It's the EMC Directive, which applies to serviced equipment as well. The capacitors were put in specifically to suppress noise. Equipment must not interfere with other users of the radio spectrum.

17
Vintage Machines / Re: I won an eBay Singer 306!
« on: August 22, 2019, 12:23:47 PM »
The capacitors are no longer needed, as the TV systems have changed from 405 lines to digital.
The band previously used by the 405-line TV system has been re-allocated for another use, so you will be interferring with that. In any case, motor noise is wide-band, meaning it could interfere with other things too.

There are laws on "elecromagnetic compatibility", I would never encourage people to alter a design. If the machine came with caps, it should remain with caps.

18
Vintage Machines / Re: I won an eBay Singer 306!
« on: August 22, 2019, 08:12:07 AM »
... I got a bobbin case that is supposed to allow use of 15x1 needles but it didn't seem to work.

... I was staggered to see how much sets of 24 cams go for  :o. I reckon I could probably more than quadruple my money if I sold it now, but I love my big, butch machine.

... I knew the capacitors were an issue and DH and I removed 2, I think it was, from the foot controller, and have had no issues with it since.
RE the 15x1 bobbin case, there is still the issue of feed timing with thicker fabrics. I think it can be re-timed though.

An  original set of cams can cost quite a bit and is always good to have in the collection. Nowadays, they can be 3D printed: Singer Cam Creator on Thingiverse.

You're supposed to replace those capacitors BTW. They were put in to suppress TV interference that the motor and pedal produce.

19
Vintage Machines / Re: I won an eBay Singer 306!
« on: August 21, 2019, 23:17:06 PM »
I must have been thinking of a different model, the 306 bobbin case will need modification to take 15x1 needles. 206 x 13 needles have the same shank and eye, but have a shorter tip below the eye.

I can send you a pdf manual for the 306 if you can't find it online.

20
Vintage Machines / Re: I won an eBay Singer 306!
« on: August 21, 2019, 22:57:14 PM »
...they use an extinct needle size, but there are a few work arounds, in that there’s a similar industrial needle and a different bobbin case that can be used.
Last time I read the manual. They also accept 15x1 needles.

I was tempted once, but I've never been a fan of that style of bobbin.

Internally it uses a strange fabric belt with staples on it, a bit expensive to replace.

21
Vintage Machines / Re: Jones Treadle Machine
« on: June 28, 2019, 21:25:08 PM »
The price is £140 - does that seem reasonable?  (It does to me, but I'm frequently astonished at how little beautiful machines go for!)
Seems a bit high. A mint 28k can be had for £40- 80. I've seen 27ks in treadle table go for about the same. This Jones may look good but the chrome plating is gone from most of the shiny bits and the table has scratches.
I'd offer £80 for it.

22
Vintage Machines / Re: Jones Treadle Machine
« on: June 28, 2019, 17:38:52 PM »
Looks like a Jones branded Singer 27k -beautiful decals. The treadle belt, bobbins and bobbin winding rubber can still be purchased new, but even with the Singers, there are 3 types of bullet shuttle, so it is best to make sure the original is present.

If you don't already own a machine from this era, it's well worth buying, especially with treadle.

23
Ho much you intend to use the overlocker is an important consideration.

I struggled with the economics of buying one. I try to justify the cost of buying every tool I own. With 2nd hand sewing machines costing up to £50, I got a quick return on my investment, a few projects and the machine pays for itself.

But buying something so specialized at around £200 I had a hard time justifying. How long would it take to recoup the cost? Well, I estimate it probably saves me 1 hour each project and I can probably manage 1 project per month.

If I estimate my hour to be worth £20, it will take 10 projects and 10 months to recover the cost. On the other hand, If I value my hour so highly, I shouldn't be sewing at all because it takes me over a day to finish a garment and I can buy top quality clothing for less.

Let's say it takes me 8 hours to finish a garment worth £40. My hour is worth £5 because that is how much the job is worth. It will take 3 years and four months to recover the cost of buying the overlocker.

Before anyone points out that it is an investment, it's a very bad one (in the short term) because 2nd hand, they end up selling for less than half price.

So why did I end up buying one? Because it is a hobby, I get enjoyment from playing with fancy equipment and I like the higher quality finish. I have spent a shed load more on other hobbies. I did however opt for a cheaper model in accordance with my usage.

24
The free arm circumference of the s14-78 is 27cm, which is small enough for arm holes,  short sleeves and my trouser legs. I think the no-free-arm proponents are just jealous  :P

25
If you want to do a blind hem, make sure a blind hem foot/attachment is available for it. This is one thing the s14-78 does not have, though I don't really miss it. Overlocker presser feet are not designed to a standard the way sewing machine feet are.

It works the same way a sewing machine blind hem attachment works, you fold the edge back in a z shape and position it in the guide such that one needle just catches the upper fold. Cut, over-edged and hemmed in one operation.

As for the discussion regarding the worth of a free-arm, I have used it once for a continuous loop of fabric and I found it helped. Yes all is possible without, but if you have the option, choose with freearm.

26
I had the Lidl Singer and found it to be a disaster. Could never get a consistent tension and when I took it in for repair the result was still lacklustre. It was also so loud and rattled the whole table top in comparison to my Juki. I felt like the Singer just wouldn't last that long.
Sounds like it was faulty, or maybe a different model (perhaps not the S14-78). The machine has suction cups underneath and it moves a bit in operation, but the vibration is dampened by the suckers. Mine is no louder than a sewing machine, has free-arm capability and it is possible to disengage the knife.

For something that costs in the order of £160, I think it is excellent value, finishing edges has never been quicker or easier. Previously I had been using a zig-zag stitch with an over-edge presser foot mostly because the zigzag is much quicker than the fancy over-edge stitches. The overlocker is so much faster.

When I first got it, I had the problem of loops hanging over the edge but this was quickly fixed by adjusting the stitch finger lever one mm or so. Nowhere in the manual did it mention that!

27
Vintage Machines / Re: Couldn't resist the challenge
« on: June 04, 2019, 17:14:13 PM »
201k, you got some muscles lifting that.
I keep thinking of buying one, but have too many machines...

28
In the wardrobe / Re: Machine Guidance
« on: June 02, 2019, 18:22:28 PM »
... There are lots of Singer 522s going at reasonable prices on Ebay if you want to take a look.
There are lots of 507s, 522s, 513s, 533s, 514s, 518s, 538s and others in this range out there for £20-£40.
Be careful though, these machines have a number of common faults at this age.
  • Plastic gears in bottom end broken from age or wrong lubrication
  • Noise suppression capacitors burning out, either behind socket or in the foot controller
  • Foot controller not working due to blown capacitor or worn contacts. Easy fix
  • Arm thrust washer broken, throwing out the left-right needle timing. This is the worst, the entire top-end needs to be disassembled
All of the machines above I have owned, all of them were sold as working, all of them were faulty, all of them I fixed.
If you are tempted to buy one, check it's service history or be prepared to have it repaired. The parts are still available and cheap from the far-east.
I have a spare 514 in a table if anyone is interested. Have too many machines...

29
Machine Accessories / Re: Buttonhole foot - hate it!
« on: June 01, 2019, 07:16:01 AM »
Sounds like the fabric was not feeding properly. Maybe the apron is thicker/heavier than the sample piece. It perhaps needed more pressure on the presser foot.

Finding the right settings is the sort of thing one figures out over time. Don't throw the foot away, it's part of the machine, should you want to sell it in the future.

30
In the wardrobe / Re: Machine Guidance
« on: May 28, 2019, 07:36:07 AM »
I'm a sucker for a vintage machine too - I bought a 500a (very similar to a 401) ...

There are a lot of perks to having a vintage machine - they are usually better built and a top of the line machine like a 401 is generally cheaper and more repairable than most modern machines...
I would like a 240v version of the 503a "rocketeer", but they are hard to find and expensive. I just like the style.
Another lesser known gem out there is the Singer 306. Like the famous 201k, it is virtually indestructable and has as many stitch patterns as you need.
In many ways I wish I had started on a machine like this rather than repairing a bunch of mid-70s models. Maybe it's one for the collection...

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