Tips for using a vintage sewing machine (moving/tilting/carrying)

[@eward9499]

Thanks so much for your informative videos. I have been unscrewing the entire hinge from the cabinet to move machines around. This is much easier!

[@judihargraves1037]

I wished I had found your videos before yesterday. I bought a lovely wood base for my 99K electric that I ought about a year ago. Hubby and I had a heck of a time getting at the screws that we thought held the machine onto the hinges.

[@sewythingy]

I made the same mistake with my first machine too. But now it will be much easier putting your 99k back or swapping between cabinets 🥰

[@richardcurant454]

you could use a bit of blu tak to hold those hinges up.

[@allisone7909]

Thank you so much - this is awesome. I take ownership of a 99K Mk2 1955 in a Bentwood Case tomorrow and I have my eye on a 1910 66K treadle too. I was wondering about the handle, which is a bit different to the one you have, so it's very timely for me to stumble across this.

[@sewythingy]

@@allisone7909 wow how exciting! I love my 66k treadle. If you get the treadle, take the machine out first (much easier and lighter to transport) 😁

[@allisone7909]

@@sewythingy thank you for your tip. I've messaged the seller a few questions and I'm looking forward to their response. Do you have a recommended seller for the belt please, as this is missing on the one I am interested in? Thank you. I'm binge watching your videos, you have a great delivery style and they are so helpful.

[@sewythingy]

@@allisone7909 aww thank you very much! I just buy my belts from Amazon. I prefer the reddish ones as the tan ones can be a little squeaky when they are brand new 😁

[@nmd1211]

Good advice about the removal of a machine from its base, as well as how to carry it. I have an old 66-1 and 99 handcrank, both of which are heavy! The 66 is in the oak case, ca 1920, but my 99 is in a suitcase and it is a lot easier to carry around because of it. My 15-91 has a custom-built base with handles on the short ends for easy carrying. My favorite bit of info, though, was those initials - I am going to have to take a look-see!

[@sewythingy]

Ah yes the initials is such a beautiful discovery, and makes all your machines unique 😁 I do have one in a suitcase, but I have no idea how it could be portable, I'd be exhausted just walking to the bus stop with it, let alone travelling 😁

[@nmd1211]

@@sewythingy I get you there - they are heavy. I have a Tutto which works well to transport things. And a husband! The suitcase, though, is very sturdy, made of wood with hinges, specifically for the 99. It actually was shipped to Canada from England when someone emigrated, and it held up through its overseas voyage and now lives with me in California. BTW, I am enjoying your videos - not just because of the little tidbits about machines I own (and I own far too many), but because you demonstrate what you have learned. I am not analytical by nature, so I go on intuition too much sometimes. Anyway, if you use attachments, I would love to see them! And how you use them. ;-)

[@sewythingy]

@@nmd1211 fantastic and amazing it made it across to America in one piece. Because I mainly treadle (just my right leg) or hand crank, I'm sure my whole right side has become more stronger (and my left side is all droopy 🤣) Yes yes I'm currently putting together some ideas on practical ways to use the attachments so hoping start uploading videos in the new year. I've just had a 201k arrive in a very sad state so I'm going to begin a VLOG shortly to video the rescue process 😁

[@nmd1211]

@@sewythingy Looking forward to that. I just acquired my 15-91 from a gentleman who restores vintage machines, and I may have bought his last restoration. It's a beauty - rewired, etc., to be safe. I really like it and look forward to using it for leather along with just using it. Hence the interest in attachments. It sounds like you repair machines - I do, to a degree, but don't really like getting into electrical at all. Like James Thurber's aunt, I am afraid of it, but know it doesn't ooze out of the socket . . .

[@sewythingy]

@@nmd1211 I am exactly the same, me and electrics are a big no-no. So much so that I bought a conversion kit to make my 221 a handcrank. I'm ok with new electrics, but vintage ones, no no nup. I don't really restore them, but I try to rescue them and get them back up and working. I'm not confident in putting new decals on machines or clear coat shellac, but I give them love and cuddles and then find them a home. If you get a chance, have a look at my Tips video on pressure and tension. This will help with sewing leather. Your new 15k will be brilliant with leather, particularly as they have the larger bobbin capacity. I have a Facebook page called SewyThingy, it has photos of my machines and what I make on them. But I help run a FB group called Zoomie Singers. This is where we help each other with our machines, learn from each other,, be great if you can join 😁

[@bluenovalady]

Can I take out the swawing machine from the and transfer to a swaing table? My swaing machine won't come out from its box that is damage.

[@sewythingy]

If you tip your machine on its side, you should see the hinges from the base slide into holes in the machine. The machine is held in by grub screws. You may need a torch to see these, they are only small. Unscrew these and the machine will slide off the hinges. You can then fit the machine into a treadle or table, as long as it is the right size. A 28k for example will not fit into a 66k treadle as they are different sizes. Alternatively, you can email me with some photos of your machine and I can help to see what the problem is if your machine is stuck. My email is [e-mail]

[@my_dear_friend_]

Just out of curiosity, ... did you ever find another machine that had the same NG initials painted inside?

[@sewythingy]

Not yet, but always looking out 😁

[@lindadalton2668]

I’m sorry I don’t understand are you calling the little set screws. Grub screws ? I’m from USA so maybe it’s the accent. Just hard to understand sorry

[@sewythingy]

@@lindadalton2668 sorry yes grub screws 🥰