Featherweight Fanatics Archives

2004

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http://www.FeatherWeightFanatics.com/fwf
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Featherweight Fanatics A Service of Sue Traudt's Valley Brook Botanicals

Digest of postings from Tuesday, January 13, 2004 

Welcome to all our new members!
To post a message - send it to: FWFanatics@ttsw.com
To post a message to the For sale list - sent it to: FWForSale@ttsw.com
To pay dues  http://ttsw.com/JoinLists.html
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From: ASROL@aol.com
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 13:56:14 EST
Subject: Re: Using a power bar

In a message dated 1/13/04 1:02:39 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
FWFanatics@ttsw.com writes:
Get in the habit of plugging iron and sewing machine both into a power 
bar and then just flip the little switch whenever leaving the sewing 
area for a while.  It is simple and the little red light is a good 
reminder to turn off the hot stuff, iron and FW light.
If your power bar is also a serge protector you need to realize if you throw 
this switch you are turning off its ability to protect you from power surges.  
Guess the gamble is whether to worry about a fire or a power serge.  
Anne R

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From: Gypcdrmr2@aol.com
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 12:26:48 EST
Subject: Ear Buds for Screw covers

Hello Fluffies,
Radio Shack has ear-bud-covers for hands free telephones. They come in a 
package of four for $2.00, are black and fit right over that screw that damages 
your machine bed when you fold the flap up.
Not affiliated with Radio Shack, just passing on the information.
Jacque- in we are expecting snow in Delaware. I'm lighting the woodstove and 
going to piece a quilt, while my dinner is cooking, and I listen to recorded 
books:-Heaven

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From: "Steve Ward" 
Subject: truckload sales
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 09:45:50 -0500

I don't believe there is anything inherently wrong with the "truckload" 
or "School" sales. When I worked for Singer I even did a few myself many 
years ago. I can say that the whole intent, though, was to NOT sell the 
bottom end model, as there was very little profit in it, and it never 
lived up to customers expectations. The purpose was to get customers 
there so you would have a crack at selling a more expensive machine.
The downside, of course, was for the customer, who was left with a new 
machine and no easy way to get service or help. The local dealer was, if 
not outright hostile, at least very cool to the idea of assisting 
someone under these conditions. I really think that when Singer began 
sponsoring, or at least allowing these sales back in the 80's, it was 
the last straw (among many) that destroyed the Singer Dealer network.
So, if you're contemplating trying to pick up a "bargain" at one of 
these sales, just be aware that there probably are no real bargains to 
be had. If you only need a machine very rarely for mending, and can only 
spend a few hundred dollars, I would recommend buying something from 
your local dealer, or buying a vintage machine from a reliable source on 
eBay, or perhaps even a new machine from Sears.=20
Just an informed opinion.

Steve Ward
sewingdoc

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From: "jaydub" 
Subject: re:1/4" foot for 301
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 08:39:04 -0600

Hi Feathers,
This is for everyone that replied to my plea for a 1/4" foot for my 301. I
have ordered one from Jim Sorrel in CA.
Thanks everyone,
Sharon Weaver

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Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 13:38:50 +0000
From: Graham Forsdyke 
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 1/12/2004

To Ann who asked

>.......ewhere near the tension, I think.  Or maybe it is in
>the bobbin area.  The thread between the tension thing and the needle is
>really tight, at least tighter than usual for the tension setting I use.
>  Changing the tension setting only resulted in bad stitches so I put it
>back to its normal place. .......
>I did run a pipe cleaner through the tension discs thinking they needed
>dusting.


I've never been a fan of the pipe cleaner idea -- having found pieces 
of cleaner jammed in the tension mechanism on more than one occasion. 
I suggest you simply dismantle the assembly, clean and replace.



To Lauren who asked

>I recently inherited an old fashioned sewing machine.  The only writing on
>it is "NF Beacon".  Can anyone provide me with info the manufacturer.  The
>sewing machine is in a wood cabinet with 2 small draws on each side and a
>manual foot pedal. thank you


In the 1890 to 1940 period there was a fad with large retailers and 
mail order houses to  sell "own brand" sewing machines.

To do this they entered into contracts with established sewing 
machine manufacturers who would supply  standard models but with the 
name of choice substituted for the normal brand name.

I have records of nearly 5000 such "exclusive" names  produced by 
half a dozen makers during this period.

The situation is further confused in that  retailers might switch 
makers at the end of a contract period and the same name would then 
appear on a completely different machine by another  manufacturer

Likely makers for your machine are Davis, mason and National



To Joy

>...........I had no trouble removing the needle plate from my
>old FW to check for lint but on my newest FW it won't budge after removing the
>screw.  It looks in great condition.  Am I missing something somewhere?  It
>is the plate with 1/4, 1/2 etc. lines on it (221-k).


These can stick due to congealed oil under the plate.  First clear 
the area by removing the needle, presser foot and, it be on the safe 
side, the extension table.

Then you can gently tap the underside of the plate  -- I use a wooden 
skewer and a light tack hammer.  Whatever you do, don't try to pry it 
up with a screwdriver in the feed-dog slots....



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: Dcable1116@aol.com
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 06:27:07 EST
Subject: Re: FW Fanatics 1/12/2004

To Jacque
     Wish I had known you were coming to Salisbury, maybe we could have had 
lunch together...always nice to meet internet friends in person.  Was it Bob 
Driscoll you got the 201 from?  I bought my white FW from him.  Nice man.  
Didn't know he was a Fluffie.  Hi Bob!   
Penny - waiting to see what Thursday brings

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From: Lkcover@aol.com
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 00:53:06 EST
Subject: Re: Stuck bobbin

Hi Feathers~  I got many good ideas from you FWFers on how to remove the  bad 
bobbin stuck in the case.  Thanks to all of you who wrote.  It would not 
budge the slightest so I finally took some needle nose pliers and grabbed the 
bobbin in two of the holes and twisted it out of shape.  Then there was a little 
gap along the edge where I could slide a small screw driver and pry it out.  
The bobbin bent to pieces,  (who cares!) but not even one scratch on the tough 
little FW case!!! They new how to make good parts in the olden days!  The shop 
keeper wanted the bobbin back to return to the vendor, and the vendor happened 
to be in the shop when I arrived.  She was horrified to see the poor quality 
and took all 10 packages back.  Thank you, Graham, for your comments on buying 
from specialist Featherweight dealers.  I guess I hoped that the name Singer 
still meant something, but now I know.  My next question is .....what is the 
best source for the best quality bobbins?  I do give my students what I call 
"party favors" in class with some cleaning tools, and a good bobbin would be 
nice to add to the packet.  
  And to Gayle in  Chico, my bags are packed for Hawaii for my quilting 
cruise.  Stay tuned for the report in about 2 weeks!   Linda Cover in cold, drippy, 
foggy CA heading for warmer climes

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From: "Betty Keegan" 
Subject: I am humbled!!!!!


OK, I fell off my soap box.  I posted, a few days ago, that while I am not
 an excellent housekeeper, it has to be "spit & polish" before I start to
  sew.  I had arrived, all was well!!!!!!.  Then a sick grand child for 2
   days.  While waiting for him to recover, and go home, I came down with it.
     No sewing, and especially no housework done.  I have promised some 
     wall hangings for a high school fund raiser needed within the next couple 
     of weeks.  So, here I go, messy house, dishes in the sink, dirty clothes 
     in the hamper, and I am making 2 or 3 wall hangings.  For you Alaska ladies
      one is a Barbara Lavallee, applique pattern of the"Chorus Line" 3 of her
       wonderful ladies in their kuspuks.  It is a fund raiser for our high 
       school jazz band. The dust bunnies know they will be safe for the next week or
        so. " Pride goth before a fall", my Grandma always said.  Betty, in S
E Alaska

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