Singer 99k vs 128k, their similarities and differences

[@katemoore2980]

Thank you so much for your videos! You made an old woman very happy tonight. I could not remember for the life of me how to thread a long bobbin. By watching your videos I was able to wind a bobbin, load a shuttle, thread the machine, and finally sew on my 100 year old Singer 128 La Vencedora! I pulled her out of a junk heap and have restored her to her former glory! You have gotten me hooked on hand cranks! Thank you!

[@sewythingy]

Hi Kate, I'm so pleased the video has helped with your machine. There is nothing more lovely than sewing on a handcrank. But isn't it so satisfying to bring a machine back to life. I love the vintage machines, they just live forever 😁

[@renitageorge9007]

I enjoyed your video. You did a great job of comparing and contrasting both machines. I'm addicted to vintage sewing machines, and own 5 of them. The first one that came into my possession is my 1930 99 in a table. I didn't get it cleaned up until over a year later, and once I did...Wow! It's beautiful, and the decals are in good shape. I pieced a quilt with it, and it was wonderful to sew on. My bobbin winder is similar to your 128K in that it has the heart-shaped cam on the back side of the mechanism. My second machine is a 1948 201, and is no only one with reverse, and thread only one I went looking for with certain criteria (vintage, reverse, full-sized, and not in a table). I found it half a mile away, right in my community! It's a very nice and capable machine too, but I really like the sound of the non-gear driven machines better. My third machine was given to me, and is a 1917 Western Electric. The drive mechanism is a cork-bound pulley on the motor shaft, that drives the hand wheel. The motor swings down, to store the machine in the wooden case. I haven't cleaned that one up yet, but have done a few test stitches by turning the wheel with a toothbrush handle. The cork is hard and slips on the wheel, so I'll put two rubber bobbin tires in its place. I've seen other machines with that type of drive where that has been done. My fourth machine is a Singer model 27 treadle, dated 1895. After I cleaned it up and oiled it, it made beautiful stitches, with the exception of some twisted loops underneath and skipped stitches in the corners. The twisted loops were solved by switching to cotton thread from polyester. The corners where solved by getting a correct, vintage unused shuttle (found one in the UK). To prevent the belt slipping, I bought an Amish-made rubber treadle belt. Works great! I just finished that machine this spring, and haven't actually sewn a project on it yet. Soon... My fifth machine is a 1920 Singer 66 that I picked up at a yard sale. I finished it right before Christmas and did my test stitches, but haven't sewn a project on it yet either. I've been so busy cleaning my machines that I haven't had time to sew on some of them! I love these old beauties. The decals on your 128K are beautiful. There's a decal set I like on the 28's that has red, and it's similar in design to yours. So elegant! I have to agree with you that there's something special about using the vibrating shuttle machines. The Western Electric has that as well . I rambled on, but I just had to share my love of vintage sewing machines. I'll subscribe. I liked your video and personality... And your knowledge of the machine parts. Some people don't know the names of the simplest parts. Take care. Renita George

[@sewythingy]

Thank you so much Renita, I have the same passion for the machines and I too also have a 201, (MK2 aluminium) and a 66k. I adore my 66k, it is 1916 and in a treadle and is an absolute joy to sew on. You will adore the 66 once it is ready. If you watch my video The Problem with Mr Crunchface, you will see my 66k 😁

[@ericawright1924]

I really enjoyed your video, it was just the comparison that I was looking for. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@allthebennetts]

This was a great video - why no one else uses a bright thread when winding bobbins or threading machines has always puzzled me. So thanks for the bright red and also thanks for refocusing or zooming in when needed. Such a clear explanation. I've just inherited my great-grans 1893 128k and it still sews and is a joy. You've gained a new subscriber - I'm off to see if you have videos about oiling the 128k - if not can I do a cheeky request that you film one! LOL Thank you for this video.

[@sewythingy]

Hello, thank you for the great feedback! Sewing on a 128k is so lovely, their sound is just beautiful, and thank you for subscribing. Ooh I don't think I have a video on oiling the 128, but if you give me a few days, I will do one just for you, and I'll let you know here 🥰

[@allthebennetts]

@@sewythingy That is so nice of you - I await further updates with anticipation! :0)

[@sewythingy]

@@allthebennetts aiming to do it Saturday morning for you 😁

[@allthebennetts]

@@sewythingy Thanks - I'm Colin and I'll leave my machine oiling until the weekend😀

[@sewythingy]

@@allthebennetts hello Colin 😁, I'll get my 128k ready and take you through the oiling step by step, along with some little tips I've learned and things I do, which may help 😁

[@robinmeadows4758]

If your 99k was the same age as your 128 it would have a similar bobbin winding mechanism, stitch length knob, and tension adjustor. Both my 1923 and 1930 hand crank 99k's do.

[@danacse]

Appropo of nothing, I picked up (another) vintage Singer sewing machine! We were helping some friends from church clean out their storage unit, and way in the back, on the floor, completely forgotten, was this sewing machine cabinet with the legs broken off. My friend said, "Would you want an old Singer sewing machine?" Oh yeah! I took it to my sewing machine guy, and I can't wait until I get it back working like new!

[@sewythingy]

Did you get your sewing machine back ok? Be great to hear

[@lexilooloo7873]

great video tutorial! thankyou so much! I own both a 99k & a 128. my question to you is, my 128 has a similar bobbin winding mechanism other than the fact that it's a regular round bobbin like a 99k so is it still a 128? I went onto the singer data base & it just says it was made in 1927.....

[@sewythingy]

Ah, if you have a round bobbin, it isn't a 28 or 128k. If you Google "ismacs", they have a very accurate serial number database. Or if you want to message me through SewyThingy Facebook with the serial number I can have a look for you 😁 I love a mystery 😁

[@lexilooloo7873]

@@sewythingy thankyou for such a quick response! I initially said this was a 99 because of the small size, I never heard of a 128 until I posted it last year on FB & someone said it was a 128, I just recently took what I was told was a 128 out of its bentwood case & replaced it with a 99k. yesterday I posted a pic on FB of the 128 & everyone on there so far said it was a 99.....so I googled the question difference between 99/99k & 128, this is how I came across your awesome video!. the serial #AB663777 it says it's a 99 made in 1927

[@pamelaleitman9305]

My 128k evidently has been made electric and has an electric foot. I just got ait from a friend and it is so dirty.

[@Dirvin2001]

Any difference in stitch quality? How about the machine’s ability to maintain correct tension? TIA

[@sewythingy]

Great question! Stitch quality is great on both machines. Maintaining correct tension can be an issue on all machines, particularly if the tension discs are not cleaned regularly. And tension needs adjusting for different fabric types/thickness of layers, even thread types need different tension adjustments. For me, as I have many machines, I've allocated each of my "boys" to different jobs (for example I have one set up for bag making, one for piecing, one for quilting etc. So the tension is set for the project so I don't need to adjust once it's set up. The 128k is excellent for foundation paper piecing and the 99k is great for bag making, though both can do a wide range of different sewing projects. I can have a real temper tantrum if the tension goes out of whack and have spent hours trying to get it just right. I think that's mainly why I get a machine set up to do one type of sewing. The 99k does have a little more "punch" power for thicker fabrics like vinyl, but I find the 128k is just more fun to sew on - he has a beautiful voice when he's sewing. I hope that helps 😁

[@RychaardRyder]

Hello, im not sure if youve mentioned it but, is it possible to lower your 99k in your table? Wouldnt the hand crank protude too far out?

[@sewythingy]

Hi, unfortunately it can't be lowered with the handcrank on. Treadles are the same. It's a little bit annoying but I've got used to it now. Machines in cabinets usually mean they were motorised, and machines in Treadles (in theory) don't require a crank. I like to have handcranks on mine, even on my treadle machines, but only remove the crank if I'm putting the machines to "sleep" for a while 😁

[@vaccavo]

I am from Rio de Janeiro, and the machines are not cared for as they deserve, here. A lot of them are available for a low price for either "decoration" or "removal of parts". I got a 66 by accident, and of course the bobbin case is broken. I would love to have a 99, and I doubt I'll ever find one in this country, but I was lucky to find both a 28 and a 128. I guess most people here on KZbin are more into loving the sewing machines than into sewing with them. (Mesmerizing engineering.)

[@sewythingy]

I hope one day you will have a 99k, they are lovely machines. I too started off with loving the engineering side of these machines, but I've now progressed to sewing with them. They are wonderful to sew with. I use mine to make bags. If you look for "sewy thingy" on Facebook, you will see my page and all the things I make on my machines ❤️

[@pamelaleitman9305]

My 128 k has a wheel that is solid without holes..

[@sewythingy]

A solid wheel is used with a motor.normally 😁

[@pamelaleitman9305]

Do both reverse stitch?

[@sewythingy]

The 128k doesn't, but some later models of the 99k have this feature

[@vaccavo]

Ah, 128 is 99's "mother", as well as 221 is 201's "mother. In Brasil, we can find 128s and 221s, while 99s and 201s are Impossible Dreams.

[@sewythingy]

Yes so true, and the majority of new plastic machines are modelled on Mother 15k 😁

[@leebrand2172]

Although they appear to be similar they are in fact fundamentaly different 😜 The 99 is a huge leap forward in technology by singer. The 128 uses a shuttle and the 99 a drop in bobbin. Although they both stitch particularly well the 99 most certainly has an edge. It's easier to achieve perfect tension on a 99, even the pre numbered dial tensioner. The adjustment and timing of a 99 is way easier than a 128. The 99 doesn't stutter stitch 🤣 like the 128. All that been said they are both fine machines and you would be hard pressed to differentiate by looking at the stitches. The 99 is technologically a way more sophisticated machine tho 😜

[@sewythingy]

Absolutely agree. I do like your "stutter stitch" description 🤣

[@tomobedlam297]

I do love the "stutter-stitch" of the TS and VS machines. It's delightfully therapeutic! 😊