How to modify a Singer 237 Side loaded Sewing Machine so it can sew Stretch Fabrics

Side loaded sewing machines got the needle threaded from the side. This is an advantage for sewing heavy fabrics, because it makes the machine less sensitive to feed tracktion problems. Front loaded zig zag sewing machines is sensitive to feed problems, but have the shuttle houseing fixed in the machine so the clearance between needle and hook is well defined. The side loaded machines got some slack in the mechanics for the zig zag movement of the shuttle hook.
List of contents
0:00 Intro and modification
0:55 Reason for modification
1:14 Presentation of Singer 237
2:00 Stretch fabrics and skipped stitches
2:22 This is why stretch fabric cause skipped stitches
4:08 Slack or play in mechanics to move needle and shuttle
4:47 Measurement of the play is 0.4 mm
5:57 Details of modification
7:29 Adjustment of clearance between needle and hook
8:09 Advantage to side loaded zig zag sewing machines
8:40 Epilogue
9:08 End
This video present a modification, so the shuttle base becomes spring loaded to the side. In this way the clearance between the needle and the hook become more precise. It is useful for sewing stretch knit fabrics without skipped stitches. The problem with stretch fabric is called flagging, and it is explained in this video: • Tips from Uncle Creepy...
This is a very good blog about how to cope with skipped stitches: vintagesewingmachinesblog.wor...
If you like this video, then please click the like button. Please leave any comment og question you may have below. You may even subscribe to my KZbin channel.

[@louparsons]

As a sewing enthusiast, and a machinist, I appreciate your measurements in mm, kg, and Newtons, all seldom appreciated in Canada or the United States. YVR

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thanks for your comment. I do have a significant amount of viewers from Canada, and US, and they are still not that used to SI system. For Europeans it can also fore some be harder to cope with the term for force in Newton instead of using gram or kg. The important thing is to get the message across and then these terms may not be the best way. Perhaps I should focus on conversion factors in the text description and use the Imperial terms too in the subtitles.

[@allisonjoel1]

Excellent video, easy to undersrsnd and follow throughout. Thank you for sharing.

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Chowah]

Wow. Thanks for your videos. Love it when you go into engineering and mechanics!

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thank you :)

[@AW-pz3qc]

Clever adjustment and clearly explained. Thanks

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

You're welcome!

[@JebbAdams]

THIS IS EXCELLENT! I NEED TO KNOW THIS! YOUR KNOWLEDGE BASE IS SO HELPFUL! THANK YOU.

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Glad it was helpful!

[@necchi-pavia]

Respect, very well explained! You really think about it and can reveal the facts with data and numbers ... You should get an old Necchi machine as soon as possible, you don't have to make any modifications ... The manufacturing tolerances are very small.

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thanks. Now you found it. Yes, no doubt that the Necchi would not have so much slack in the zig zag mechanics. I look for a Necchi regularely in my area :)

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Actually the Singer 237s were made in Itally as well at a Singer factory about 50 km away from the Necchi factory.

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Actually there is a Necchi Royal Lydia 3 for sale nearby. It got a nice appearance, but is newer and front loaded. I saw a reference about a plastic gear in it, so I am somewhat afraid of this machine, and guess I need to wait longer :)

[@caduceus33]

How do you decide whether you want to use the Singer 237 for a project, or the Singer 201? For that matter, I see you have videos on Pfaff, Husqvarna, and Kohler machines also. Do you use each for a specific type of sewing?

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

If you only need to sew a straight stitch, a straight stitch machine will always do a better job and be easier to use. One reason is, that the holes in the needle plate and in the presser foot is bigger on a zig zag machine. But for some zig zag machines you can get needle plates and presser feed for straight stitch too and it helps but not completely. I got some well known good quality vintage machines and some to educate myself - it is also an interest of me. The Kohler I got is one of the latest vibrating shuttle machines produced. This kind of machines are not produced anymore, but a few sewing machine users still think they do some jobs better than other machines. Therefore I try to figure a bit out about them. I think one important thing about the long shuttle machines is, that they handle the sewing thread more gently. The sewing threads produced today are in general stronger than they were in the old days. I hope it answers your question.

[@bryancathey3242]

Love your videos! I'm working on this same modification because of this video. How did you determine what amount of pull force you thought was needed to keep shuttle to the right? It seems that the spring pull force should be no more than needed to eliminate slack and over come any slack while sewing a wide zig zag and at a high RPM. You mentioned 5 Nm with the one spring and 2 Nm with the other. Is the 2 Nm spring not enough? I would like to send you a picture of this mod when I'm done, do you have email that you would share? Thanks, Bryan

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

Thanks for the comment. I am actually not sure, what force that would be sufficient. I just know that 5 N was sufficient for my use. It is by the way a force [N] and not a torque [Nm]. I guess the amount of force would depend on the friction in mechanics and the speed in use, but I have not made any trials or calculations to provide guidance on that.

[@bryancathey3242]

@@sewingmachinesindetail Thank you for your reply. I just finished my fabrication of attachment brackets for spring. I just order a 5N gauge on Ebay to see what force I have it set up at currently with the spring I'm using. Love to send a pic to you of what I did. Bryan

[@sewingmachinesindetail]

@@bryancathey3242 I think you should manage to do it. I do not share my e-mail here. But there is FB groups for sewing machines, that all can make reasonable evaluations.