Singer 201-2 Rewire Part 2b - Rewiring the light and switch

[@sonialorenzo9223]

So I bought a 201-2 and here I am, watching your whole series. With your videos I finished my 66 treadle and use it all the time. Thank you so much.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Glad to help!

[@redwoodcattledog]

Fantastic!!! Thank you so very much! 😁😊😻😸😁 💪🏻👍🏻 Rewiring today and should be sewing tonight!

[@michaeltexeira6185]

Your work is fantastic. I repair sewing Machine. For Like 50 years. You can sell me some of your patience,,,do people pay for that work. I like the older machines. I never saw a socket. Attached to the electrical block,,,you know what. ,,when finished repair,,I cleaned the machine,,with Sewing Machine Oil. ,and wipe off with paper towel. You should see the smile on their faces.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

There's nothing like the look of the face of a happy customer, that's for sure!

[@TealCheetah]

"aggravation is expensive" Excellent wisdom

[@cynrich1]

I'm so glad I stuck it out to the end (not hard to do) because I had disconnected all the crumbling wires from the terminal but forgot to notice where they came from. After replacing all the wires and ring connectors, I had no clue where to hook them up! Thanks so much for this video, I'll be able to actually use my newly acquired 201!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

I'm glad it helped!

[@shawnvanhorn3754]

These are great... I have bounced around, because I didn't watch them in order, each machine has its own challenges. The machine I was working on was missing the receptacle and light switch, which I ordered one, but had to wait for it. I wanted to clean and polish the 201 as I went, I started with the motor, worked my way down to the light, then re-installed everything as I went, that way I didn't end up with so many screws and parts I was confused. I like to clean and polish all the parts as I go, including the body, so there are no dirty cracks I can't get into once everything is put back together. I like his tips, I get all the general principals, but things like how to get the wire back in and to make sure it runs up that tongue, that is handy! I also caught the fact my machine was missing the felt disc in the back of the light fixture from the video, wouldn't have known it was missing without this video. I ended up using a black thread spool felt, fit perfect!

[@mikri2008]

This video is very impressive. These little screws of death and how you deal with it is really craftmansship. I have been suffering from polyarthritis for a year and I have to take strong medication. I have developed tremors in my hands since then. I definitely don't want to post a video of my restorations. I think I use verbal expressions that YT would immediately block ;o). Thanks for this interesting video. I need to rewire a Singer model 320 K. Just finished a Featherweight. This video will help me a lot with that.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

I'm so glad this helps!

[@patfrey7242]

That was really good! You made this process so easy to understand!! Nailed it Bob. Thanks!

[@alyte11]

I'm using a power cord/foot control combo so I can utilize the knee bar in my cabinet. Should the machine still work when the light switch is turned off as mines does?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Yes, the light does not have to be on if you're wired correctly.

[@benkirbywright1]

Great videos its helped me alot, I was wondering the fiber washer is missing from my 201-2 will any insulating washer work or does it need to be properly fitted and sized for it?

[@Chowah]

"Wire is Cheap. Aggravation is expensive." - He said that! lol Made me laugh

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Given the choice of a little less money in my pocket or more stress in my life, I'll do without a few cents... :-)

[@barbarabarton7925]

Excellent clear directions! What is the best way to clean the sheath that is reused to enclose the electrical light wires?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Cleaning that sheath is a pain in the butt. I've recently moved on from using that sheath, and instead when I rewire a lamp unit, use the technique I show in my video "221 Featherweight - Get The Lead Out!" which you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2fVmGyrbM2DsMU&ab_channel=BobFowler

[@barbarabarton7925]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop Thank you for your prompt response. In the "221 Featherweight - Get The Lead Out" video you initially refer to the asphalt-like sheath enclosing the wiring on the 201-2. Does this mean that the 1951 201-2 sheath is made of a different material and doesn't contain lead? I would like to know from a safety point of view when removing the sheath. I don't see any white flecks on the 201-2 just a shiny black surface with a few dust bunnies. I also have a 1952 Featherweight that is showing some apparent oxidation. Looks like I have both a 201-2 and Featherweight to re-wire. You have given the inspiration and knowledge to do this work myself. Thank you.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

@@barbarabarton7925 Yes, no lead in a 201-2, just the nastiest sheath Singer ever put inside a machine!

[@judith4226]

Great series. I might have missed it but is there something I can use to clean the light wiring sheath? It’s a 1941 with a clamp that fits into the hole of the machine where the light leads exit.

[@Duckster183]

Dang, you missed it and that what I need, rewiring the white toggle light switch?!

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

UGH! I need to reshoot that entire series. It was from before I had a decent video and lighting setup... I cringe when I see that...

[@monmowimarciga5052]

Hello Bob. I searched on mastercarr site the materials that you used, but I have a Q. I have to rewire the lamp's cables. Can you tell me wich type of wire and wire's tubing? Please and Thanks.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

18 gauge, stranded wire is fine. Don't use solid wire, always stranded.

[@monmowimarciga5052]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop Thanks Bob. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@TrishMeyer99]

Thank you for adding the Item #s for McMaster-Carr! All I had to do was Search and click Add to Cart - so easy! (Their website is overwhelming...)

[@lorv8628]

This is a great series! Great narration and explanation. What kind of screwdriver is that, Bob?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

That's a Chapman. I use this set: tinyurl.com/fhzrrvap

[@jomercer21113]

what can be used to replace that sheath?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Funny you should mention that... I was looking at McMaster-Carr for just such a thing. Here's what I've located (not tried yet) that I think should be ideal: 1/4" I.D. high strength sleeving www.mcmaster.com/8798K31/ I don't think expandable sleeving would be a good option...

[@susancooper5849]

Hi Bob I would appreciate your advice.- I have my Mothers Singer 201K which unfortunately went bang and smelt of burning when I plugged it in to sew something 5 years or so ago. I thought I might be able to mend it but sought advice from my local shop who told me its got a potted motor so can't be replaced with a new motor. I know nothing about electrics and am a bit scared to try and follow your videos- do you have a repair service and how much would it cost? I live in Bath

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Hi Susan - Your potted motor can most likely be repaired... My question... Which Bath? Bath, Maine, USA, or Bath, England?

[@susancooper5849]

@@BobFowlerWorkshop Bath UK

[@BeowulfIsMinNama]

Question: my sheath covering the lamp wires is crumbling. I’ve been searching for a replacement, but haven’t found one. Do you have a source you can recommend? Or a modern replacement?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

Funny you should mention this... I do have a solution, Look at my video "221 Featherweight - Get the Lead Out!" for my solution. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2fVmGyrbM2DsMU&ab_channel=BobFowler

[@edmundooliver7584]

if I buy a power plug and foot pedal combination can I remove the foot pedal from the machine ? its wire to the back of plug.

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

There are two ways to handle the motor control. Machines in cabinets usually have the foot controller hard wired to the machine, while portables usually have the controller wired to the detachable power cord. If you prefer the controller on the power cord and your machine is in a cabinet, you CAN use the setup as if the machine was a portable, but you may run into cord length issues, depending upon which cabinet you have.

[@edmundooliver7584]

Bob Fowler thank you my wires were bad so I put a controller with power cord

[@lorv8628]

I'm 100% green to this, so forgive me if this sounds weird. I have old but perfect stranded copper speaker wire I've saved. Can this be used here?

[@BobFowlerWorkshop]

I don't recommend it. While the wire may be the same gauge, the insulation for speaker wire isn't necessarily to the same materials specification for line voltages, and if something bad were to happen (say, a fire), your insurance company wouldn't be very happy with your choice of materials. Yes, odds are they would figure it out...

[@patfrey7242]

LOL @ Ulcers!