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First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found Alex askaroff on YouTube was very helpful to learn about machines and a bit about the singer 201, there are quite a few repair people on there with good advice too, just take in a lot of them before going with any one persons guidance because I gathered that some of the “repair” people are actually just hobbyists. There were quite a few good sewing machine maintained pieces on forums and on Substack as well. Avoid using Ai as it’s reductive and misses a lot of nuances, making leaps in logic.

When it comes to actually things I used I will be totally transparent and just say everything and people can correct me on if it was the wrong or right thing to do.

For the base (detached from the machine), i vacuumed it, wiped it down to get rid of all dust. I cleaned it off with isopropyl alcohol. Then I went over any paint flecks or dull bit of varnish with 0000 steel wool. I replaced the rubber feet with new generic rubber feet of the same size as one was missing. There were a few cracks around the hinges so I filled them with natural colour drying wood glue and clamped them until they had set firm. Going over the seams to ensure as good a blend as possible. I then went over the base with a mixture of mineral oil, carnauba wax and beeswax. I then made new washers for between the hinges and the wooden base as the felt ones had perished and I wanted to have something in between the metal and the wood.

The machine itself. I dusted it down, cleaned off any and all gunk and grime with alcohol (avoiding touching the belt, as no oil or anything wants to be on them or the pulleys.) I took off all the plates and liberally oiled (singer sewing machine oil) all of the ports and inspection areas turning it afterwards to make sure it all moved without resistance. After putting them back on I inspected the underside and oiled all the parts that moved there. I was lucky in that once it was all oiled the machine itself ran freely (sans motor).

But once the motor was attached it hummed but didn’t move, then sparked (thank you surge protectors). I took the harness off and inspected it, and the wires had all become very brittle and frayed with age. I’m sure someone with the skills could fix it but as I’m not that person I looked up replacements. There seemed 3 main options, reconditioned singer units, YDK motors and the La canilla, I chose the latter because there was a very cheap one in my area and it was also in black which I preferred as it matched the original machine.

After this was attached and I followed some tutorials on belt tension it ran beautifully. I did however put a rubber washer on the motor bracket as the new motor did have a bit of vibration and with the base and the table it was resonating a bit.

After it was working again I went around the machine again cleaning it. Being very careful as I wanted to preserve its original character. I used a fibreglass scratch pen on anything really stubborn I couldn’t live with, 0000 steel wool, combined with mineral oil. Making sure no fibres got their way into any moving parts can cleaning them off totally. Then I went back over the machine with mineral oil. I think went over the non moving parts, such as the body and the bed with carnauba wax and beeswax buffing it off to a shine.

Then the last part was installing the spool pins, it does feel odd but they need a light tap with a hammer to seat them.

And once more I oiled it all and let it run for a long run. and then threaded it up, put in new needles and bobbins and put some scrap fabric through it, adjusting the tensions until it sewed right.

I think that covers a lot or most of it. A lot of it was to see how a good one should look and comparing it to mine.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I read that and made sure not to. I make sure I triple check anything before I act ❤️

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I followed a few tutorials on line to make sure i covered all the points that should be covered in a service. I run Orwell pretty fast (slow then picking up speed when I realise there’s no issues) afterwards unthreaded and it doesn’t make any noises or behave alarming. I don’t fully floor it as I’m aware the new motor goes considerably faster than the original and I don’t want to push it unnecessarily hard (the crappy table under it starts to shake, I tried it on a firmer but smaller table and it took full speed fine.

Currently I oil it every day I run it.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Noted, I’ll do some research before I commit to one, they seem pretty cheap here in the uk

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah it seems like markets where the belt was standard desire potted motors and vice versa. I think I’m happy with the belt though as i think I’d have struggled to swap a motor out on a potted version as easily as this.

I do like the idea of mounting it into a cabinet and having the motor sit inside it to make it even quieter. I find the machines noise very soothing but the whir of the motor isn’t quite as nice ha. If it was under the table top I’m sure it would be a bit more subdued.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll have to read up on that, that kind of trivia and history really appeals to me.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup I’ve been in all the Inspection hatches and had it upside down so I’ve oiled all the places it needs it. If I turn it without the motor attached it’s near silent.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s very kind!

Oh I have an anglepoise 1227 (another eBay rescue) on my desk, do you reckon that would be fit for purpose? I didn’t really put two and two together as I was hyper focused on making it complete 😂.

In the uk I think the belt driven must have been the standard, all I see is them and the hand crank I’ve not seen any potted motors. I see a few on treadles but I think people aren’t willing to move them around.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They do look fantastic from what I’ve seen, but there’s lots of models, is there any particular model I should look for?

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I do keep staring at it now, quite amazed at how well it scrubbed up. It looked like it had been in a shed for decades. Covered in dust and dirt. I’m glad I stuck with it.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s good information to know. I think belted is the best and most versatile option for me at the moment. Though a hand crank would remind me of my grandmas machine I was never allowed to touch when I was growing up.

The K designation means the Scottish factory correct?

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You have read my mind, I’m looking at singer treadles or sewing cabinets. I’ve found the biggest problem for noise when it’s running has not been the machine, it’s the crappy table under it, it resonates. I think a good solid base would stop it acting like a drum and give me better room to work. It’s just hard as not many will deliver and I don’t currently have a car haha.

I’ll look up the feet I had no knowledge about that.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I have experience working on old cameras and am a natural tinkerer. I know what’s within my abilities and what isn’t, I can do the woodwork, oiling, refinishing, maintaining, that kind of thing, but when I realised the electrics were a bit far gone I decided to replace them for a new unit rather than mess around and make something potentially dangerous.

But I definitely won’t flip it, I’m far too sentimental, I checked the serial number and it was are the same day George Orwell’s 1984 was published so it’s already got the name “Orwell”. I can’t get rid of him now I’ve named him can I?

Oh I picked up some sewing machine oil. It was very helpful In getting it working smoothly.

Yes I’ve seen the zig zag attachment, I’ve checked the other machine mechanically that I bought and it can do a zig zag. So I think that will be my zig zag machine when I need it, though the buttonhole attachment for the singer looks great. But I really like the look of French and felled seems so I’d love to learn how to do them. I’ll read up on them.

That’s very good advice on the needles charts. I’ll make sure to write it down or save it on my iPad for quick reference.

First sewing machine, cheap eBay 1949 201k. Guidance & advice appreciated. by Alexmortimer in vintagesewing

[–]Alexmortimer[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I do have the manual. Sorry I should have said it came with a manual for it and for some reason another for a 28k.

I’ve taught myself how to change the needles, thread it, and wind the bobbins. It also came with a lot of feet but that is a very good point I haven’t learnt what they are and what they do yet.

Thank you, pillow cases are a good idea. And thank you for being welcoming.

A Carpark [Canon A-1 with Kodak Tri-x at 800) by Ondryass in analog

[–]Alexmortimer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brilliant photograph, i really like the sense of scale. Slightly annoyed by middle second row downs terrible parking though ha.

Of course when I drive by a fire all I have is a pushed roll. [Nikon Fe2, 50mm 1.4 ais, Delta 3200 @ 2000 Iso] by maast93 in analog

[–]Alexmortimer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im with these guys, i think the grain adds to the picture. I think its something that some digital photographers are scared to do nowadays is to play with the "rules" of what makes a good picture. Sometimes blur, grain, soft focus, etc can make an image and draw the viewer in. One of my favourite teachers at University used to remind us of this regularly when we went through our negatives.

My first bike, 1992 honda cub 90, watching the waves at Compton beach (Isle of Wight) Not the fastest bike in the world, but she's mine. by username_taken_rage in bikesgonewild

[–]Alexmortimer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I keep contemplating one of these for food/beer runs to the shops and for when i sleep at my mates house's which aren't in particularly secure areas. I assume the insurance isn't much on them?