The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Vintage Machines => Topic started by: Bodgeitandscarper on March 01, 2022, 19:49:50 PM
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That's a nice snappy name isn't it?
It arrived this morning, it's very beautiful :loveit: Apparently the 19e was first made in 1938, but I don't know how old this particular one is. This is the Special Edition as it has a knob at the back to change from normal zig-zag to three-step or blind hem stitch.
I sat down to try it, and soon found some snags. The stitch length knob was really stiff to turn, and the reverse button didn't seem to work. When I tried to stitch, the fabric didn't move. Oh dear!
After a bit of thought, I worked out that the stitch length knob and reverse knob must both be stuck with hardened old grease, so a bit of googling found how/where to access the mechanism. It took a long time (most of the afternoon) with the isopropanol (rubbing alcohol), cotton buds, and sewing machine oil, and then pliers, to free off the stitch length, but the reverse button was still stuck in. A bit more research showed the precise bits to wiggle and push, and now it's free. :dance:
I've even sewed the bias binding round the insides of the brown leather wash bag that never got hand sewn. The design of the machine is just perfect for awkward items, as there isn't much machine to the left of the needle, both above it and beside it. Also it just glides over multiple layers of denim without missing a beat, it's fab. Even has a really nifty knob that makes it just go slowly if you need it to.
It's just what I needed :dance:
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Oops, forgot a piccy...
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Well worth the effort and every home should have a work horse @Bodgeitandscarper She looks lovely.
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@Gernella I'm fascinated to know why you said "she" and not it.
It is after all, just an inanimate machine?
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Actually @Lowena that crossed my mind as well because normally I call my machines by their names Passport, Expression Husqvarna etc., so 'it' would have come naturally to me. Must have been because she's an old girl.
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Nice machine!
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I'm glad you have found something suitable @Bodgeitandscarper it looks very sturdy.
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@Lowena Anything beautiful, reliable, constant, hard working and special is a female. Anything that is just there to do what it has to do and nothing else is a male
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Fancy that, is this the same, different livery @Bodgeitandscarper
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/716613505990431/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A6b5018a0-9e3e-4623-8ba8-950b792370c2
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@Gernella Similar model, that one's the 19, the one I have is the 19e Special - mine has an extra dial on the back by the spool holders to change from zig-zag, to blindhem, to three-step zig-zag.
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Never seen one of these machines locally, sadly. I'd be all over it if there was. Nice looking machine.
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Shhhhhh - we don't want too many people to know about these ;)
Beautiful mid-century design, and tough as old boots. Unique as far as I know among domestic machines in having a mechanical low gear that as well as slowing the machine right down, also greatly increases its penetrating power. Other machines that have a 2 speed option generally just reduce the power to the motor.
You can sew anything you can get under the foot (with the right needle - think they will take up to 130) very very slowly if you need to.
You would have to prise mine from my cold dead hands.
The hook system is a bit odd and unique to Husqvarna, but it works well if it's adjusted properly. It is the hook mechanism that they tell you not to oil - the rest of the machine needs it like any machine of that era.
The 1000 range and 6000 range machines are a very similar internal design with the same low gear gizmo. Also pretty well made, but not nearly as stylish as the 19/19e/21 "Green Goddess" machines.
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Oops, forgot a piccy...
I love it! To me, the lettering makes the machine besides the just plain cool factor.
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I made a see-through cover for her cos I couldn't hide her beauty 0_0
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I have one of that model and think it's fabulous, the only drawback is I can't find metal spools which I prefer for it so have to make do with plastic ones.
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@Surest1tch I know the bobbins are different to my Pfaff, but is there a size or something to know what to buy for it?
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@Bodgeitandscarper, I honestly don't know! I tried a google search with no joy so used one of D/H's fancy measuring tools and got the exact size of the originals, all I could find were clear plastic ones :boohoo:
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I'll measure mine and have a look, I only have two clear plastic ones - do you remember where you got yours from? @Surest1tch
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A very nice sewing machine.
Husqvarna sewing machines were produced in a region of Sweden that at the time was known for its furniture industry. Not surprisingly local industry produced sewing tables for the Husqvarna 19/20/21-series. Here is one quite nice example.
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That's rather neat but if the machine is as heavy as it looks, it would take some muscle to get it in and out if the cupboard!
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I have one of that model and think it's fabulous, the only drawback is I can't find metal spools which I prefer for it so have to make do with plastic ones.
You can purchase metal spools from Sweden. Here is a source:
https://butik.e-slojd.se/symaskinsdelar/sok-pa-marken/husqvarna-viking/spolar-bobbins/spole-husqvarna-metall-10-pack/ (https://butik.e-slojd.se/symaskinsdelar/sok-pa-marken/husqvarna-viking/spolar-bobbins/spole-husqvarna-metall-10-pack/)
(10 spools for 120 SEK ≈ £10)
I suggest you email them or give them a call. Most likely the will be able to to sell to the U.K.
Email: eslojd18@gmail.com
Phone: +46-706269125
BTW, here is a manual for the 21E which is very similar to the 19E:
Husqvarna 21E pdf manual (https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxzcGlubmluZ2F5YXJuZG9jdW1lbnRzfGd4OjYxZWUyMDQ1Mjk3OTQwZA)
/Michael
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Thanks for that @DrMike, I'll look into those spools. The machine actually came with the original manuals, 2 actually but ones in German, thankfully the others in English.
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Thanks from me too for the info, @DrMike .
@Ouryve it's not as heavy as it looks.
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I have one of that model and think it's fabulous, the only drawback is I can't find metal spools which I prefer for it so have to make do with plastic ones.
I bought some standard metal "Class L" bobbins that fit and work perfectly. They also hold more thread than the plastic ones as the metal sides aren't as thick as the plastic ones so there's more space inside. They do fit a bit tighter on the bobbin winder shaft than the plastic ones but not so much that it is a problem.
From ebay (in china) about £8 for 25 bobbins if I remember right.
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Thanks for that @keepitsimple. They are really cheap, are we still allowed to import stuff without massive import charges now we're out of the EU?
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As they're coming from China I don't suppose the EU has anything to do with it!
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Anything on ebay that comes from outside the UK will either have VAT already added into the price you see upfront, or it will say "plus VAT" in the listing. Same on Amazon I think.
Anyway, you won't have anything to pay when it arrives. If you prefer you can probably get class L bobbins in the UK from the likes of Tysew etc.. They are a very standard bobbin.
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I have been using a class 21 for a while which has been on loan from a friend. I now have to return this :( so I've been looking to buy one. I found a Husqvarna Viking class 20 but cannot find any information on it. Does anyone know about this model?
TIA
Annie
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I don't think the 20 is that common. Basic straight stitch and zig-zag only. Looks very similar in construction and controls to the 19/21 but I think has a lever control for the stitch length not a rotary knob.
They had an earlier method of engaging the low gear which involved unscrewing a knob on the machine, removing it and pushing it onto the bobbin winder As I understand it, was a bit troublesome (and the knobs get lost).
(Info from the Viking-Husqvarna sewing machines pre-1980 blog/group.)
Gallery of huqvarna mechanical machines for those who are addicted to them. Think the 20 is in there somewhere, but the 19e Special edition is missing.
http://symaskinsgalleri.therealviking.com/#!album-11-1
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Hi! I've just acquired a Viking 19E which is stuck in reverse. I've heated and oiled the button from the back and can't get it to release from being pushed in. The button is actually slightly wobbly but seems to be stuck in the lowered position. What other bits of research did you find to help you with the reverse button on your machine? Would love to know what else I can do to get this back to sewing forward! Thanks! :loveit:
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@lfdubois I found this group very useful, all sorts of info in the files.
Linky (https://groups.io/g/vikingsewingmachinespre1980)
It took me about two or three hours of oiling/heating/gently wiggling to free mine off! I think I may have also used some isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) to help dissolve the old grease.
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The reverse button is designed to lock in for permanent reverse if you need it. You press it in and slightly down.
To release it, the opposite; press it in and up.
I hope that's been the problem, 'cos it's a simple fix - in fact no fix at all :)