Featherweight Fanatics Archives
2004
Thursday, February 5
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Featherweight Fanatics A Service of Sue Traudt's Valley Brook Botanicals
Digest of postings from Thursday, February 5, 2004
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From: "Carol Kornfeld"
Subject: Walking foot for 201
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 11:37:36 -0800
Simple question: Is it possible to use a walking foot that was
purchased for the 221 on the 201? I have assumed that the feet are
interchangeable on the two machines. The 201 has a much wider space
between the sewing head and the wheel so that it is easier to manipulate
a quilt on it than the FW. Hence, the question about the walking foot.
Thanks again for all your great help and response.
Carol in Portola Valley, CA
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Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2004 12:44:06 -0500
From: Kellnigh@aol.com
Subject: Singer 99-13 from 1925
A lady in my quilting class bought a store in Park City and acquired a Singer
99-13 from 1925 in the purchase. She's just learning quilting and when she saw
my Featherweight and we talked about them in class she wanted to bring it for us
to see.
I have seen 99s but not one this old nor in a bentwood cover. She opened the
cover to a lovely machine. It was quite dirty but the decals hardly looked worn.
There was still a wooden spool of thread on the spindle and the thread in the
bobbin felt like silk. She didn't think we should even try to see if it worked. I
plugged it in, tried the light which did not go on and then looked for the foot
petal. Now remember I have never seen a machine this old except my mom's treadle.
I was really baffled when I could find nothing anthing that remotely looked like
a plug-in. Then the lady looked in the bentwood cover and found the knee control
(it looked like a tire iron) that fit in the front. She also found a near mint
manual and the box of attachments. Even the key to the cover was taped on the
inside.
Anyway, the machine did not run. Another strange thing to me was the power cord.
There was two posts that these things fit down over. Reminded me of a car
battery.
So, should an OSMG that works on featherweights be able to work over this
machine. And does anyone have replacement cords like this? I don't recall seeing
anything about these cords before but I might have missed it.
Any inspiration is appreciated.
Joyce in Salt Lake City
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From: "Steve Ward"
Subject: 301 foot control
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 12:23:31 -0500
301 Foot Control problems;
The 301 controller is easily repaired and/or adjusted. The rheostat =
adjustment is accomplished by a long screw that goes through the carbon =
pile. The goal is to have good variable speed, and have both the =
contacts shorted for maximum speed when the button is all the way down. =
(Oh, go ahead and take it apart. It's not as bad as it sounds) Should =
the carbon pile go bad, the simplest thing to do is just get another =
controller. I, and many others, carry them.
Another common problem is the wire breaking just where it enters the =
back of the controller. Again, easily repaired or replaced.
Steve
sewingdoc
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Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2004 09:12:26 -0800
From: James Sorrell
Subject: Hello
Hello All
Pat Bergman just had some great advise on not using the Singer Futura
series machines. I was managing Singer stores when that machine came out
and have been dealing with them ever since.
I do believe that machine to be the worse model Singer ever produced.
In fact I was at a conference in Hawaii and personally heard the vice
president of Singer tell about going into the factory and pulling the
switch that controlled the line that produced that model. He told the
supervisor not to turn it back on until another model, that his men and
women could sell with confidence.
Later that afternoon I was approached by a man in the product design
department of Singer and asked if I would evualate the proposed
replacement. I agreed and was the next week sent a model 1425. I
evualated it from a mechanics standpoint and each of my sales ladies
took it home and really put it through its paces. I returned the machine
and not long after the replacement was introduced with the suggested
changes.
Today I hate to see a Futura come into my shop for repair. I know my way
around the repair bench, but it is a very tempermental and troublesome
machine that is likely to give more trouble.
In my opinion one can do a lot better when making a descision on what to
sew on. One doesnt want his or her religion tested every time they try
to sew...right?
As ever
Jim
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From: "Gerald"
Subject: Nick name
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 10:34:06 -0600
Deb ask this.
Gerald :-D
Did you ever watch "Home Improvement"? Why does this bring Tim Taylor to
mind?!
How did you know what my DW calls me?
Rainbow of Colors
http://home.cablelynx.com/~rambo2/Colors/index.htm
In Hot Springs, R-CAN-SAW
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Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 15:39:58 +0000
From: Graham Forsdyke
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 2/4/2004
To Laura re foot controllers
> One knows no
>speed but fast - makes me jump!
This one need adjustment. The central screw that run inside the unit
can be tightened to provide more low-speed control but take care ---
over adjustment can lead to heat build up even when the machine isn't
being run.
>One grunts and groans and moves
>sporadically - very touchy.
A light spear of grease on the plunger will cure this
>The other one I can really controll the
>speed but there seems to be one wire that is not connected securely in
>the plug and makes the light flicker and I know that surely can be
>repaired.
It won't be a wire to the plug. Possibly the internal wiring to the
lamp or switch or poor contacts at the lamp bulb -- try moving the
bulb about, if it flashes on and off, chances are the contact
plungers need freeing
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.singer-featherweight.com
Bert's Vintage Repair Book Book:
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/bert/bert.html
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From: MelGIllette@cs.com
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 09:47:36 EST
Subject: Singer Oil/Lube
In a message dated 2/4/04 12:54:51 PM, FWFanatics@ttsw.com writes:
<< recently purchased a 1950 Featherweight at auction. It came with the
original tube of oil. Can I use my Singer oil on it? The original oil
is like a salve. >>
I bet from what you are saying, specifically the word "TUBE" that this is
lube and not oil. Check your manuals for your old Singers and you will learn
that "LUBE" is used differently (ie: in different spots) than oil!
Mel
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