Bushwalk Australia

On the Hammock Forums they have a huge thread showing everyone's machines they use to DIY/MYOG.

So here is mine a Singer 99K perhaps late 1950's I think, purchased for $20 at a local Tassie market. I also bought my wife a 1940 201 Singer treadle in perfect working order.

simonm wrote:On the Hammock Forums they have a huge thread showing everyone's machines they use to DIY/MYOG.

So here is mine a Singer 99K perhaps late 1950's I think, purchased for $20 at a local Tassie market. I also bought my wife a 1940 201 Singer treadle in perfect working order.

99k thread injector.jpg

Simon have you used this machine often? I've been looking to buy a sewing machine and have seen a few of these around fairly cheap, I've held back however because of the age? Do they do all you would need them to in order to make your own gear such as synthetic vest, quilt and other projects?

I've never used anything that fancy. I've only used this:

Mid 1980's East German 'thread injector'.

Where's my Elna?

What should I be looking for in a sewing machine in order to complete some of the projects I mentioned above? By that I mean are a lot of different stitches useful?
I know nothing about sewing machines but I'm keen to get started.

Strong needle, motor and able to take heavy threads.

You don't need anything heavy duty for most projects. I use my girlfriend's inexpensive Kenmore machine that she bought a zillion years ago. It's pretty old technology but it works.

About 99% of the time I run a standard thread at 10 stitches per inch. Maybe 1% of the time I run a zig-zag at 12 stitches per inch. That's pretty much it. Button hole and other fancy-dancy things are nice but not necessary. The only embellishment I use somewhat regularly is a zipper foot. On the rare occasion I try to push heavy duty thread through thick materials like heavy packcloth or 1000D Cordura I'm always amazed at how well her light duty machine manages, although sometimes it does bog down a bit. I made a rope bucket once where I sewed through two layers of 1000D Cordura and a doubled over piece of heavy seat belt webbing. It worked fine.

If you can afford a heavy duty machine with lots of features, go for it. But for making a quilt or UL clothing all you need is a basic machine that functions reliably.

DannyS wrote:

simonm wrote:On the Hammock Forums they have a huge thread showing everyone's machines they use to DIY/MYOG.

So here is mine a Singer 99K perhaps late 1950's I think, purchased for $20 at a local Tassie market. I also bought my wife a 1940 201 Singer treadle in perfect working order.

99k thread injector.jpg

Simon have you used this machine often? I've been looking to buy a sewing machine and have seen a few of these around fairly cheap, I've held back however because of the age? Do they do all you would need them to in order to make your own gear such as synthetic vest, quilt and other projects?

Hey Danny,

After a clean and oil mine works like new. I have made a number of hammocks and sewn polyester webbing for tree straps. It only does straight stitch but I reckon that is all you need. I would highly recommend them though obviously some are in better condition than others. My wife's 1940 treadle also works like a dream.

I believe Evan from Terra Rosa Gear uses a 201 like my wife's but electric.

icefest wrote:I've never used anything that fancy. I've only used this:

Mid 1980's East German 'thread injector'.

East German - now that is cool. Talk about fancy though look at all those different stitches!

my thread injector does not need a photo to explain it.
I will describe it for you.
A thin piece of metal sharpened to a point at one end and a hole drilled into the other end to allow for a piece of thread to be poked through it.
Its method of use is to poke said thread through the end which has the hole in it and proceed to poke the pointy end through the materials which require any sort of thread injection and repeat and repeat and repeat.
PS dont get the ends mixed up!

MartyGwynne wrote:my thread injector does not need a photo to explain it.
I will describe it for you.
A thin piece of metal sharpened to a point at one end and a hole drilled into the other end to allow for a piece of thread to be poked through it.
Its method of use is to poke said thread through the end which has the hole in it and proceed to poke the pointy end through the materials which require any sort of thread injection and repeat and repeat and repeat.
PS dont get the ends mixed up!

With language like that, are you a patent attorney?

Perhaps he shall succeed where others failed and find mathematical proof of the unified field theory. Patent clerk or not.

Sort of forgot to put in the comment tongue in cheek.
I'm not one of those just a bored smart Hasp with too much time on my hands.
Cheers

MartyGwynne wrote:Sort of forgot to put in the comment tongue in cheek.
I'm not one of those just a bored smart Hasp with too much time on my hands.
Cheers

And here I was thinking you were having a dig out our modern appliances

So, I think I'm starting to feel the itch.

You know, the one where I need to run down to the street corner and see my local injector dealer.

So...for our sort of gear, what features can I use. For instance will a new machine be more idiot proof with auto tension or whatever. Zig-zag? Heavy duty ?

Oh, and some more pics of what you guys use might help.

Go for a drive on hard rubbish collection day. I always see thread injectors on the pavement.

I think older, with fewer gadgets and buttons is better than newer. You have to go pretty old to find a machine without zigzag...

I am now using my wife's 1941 Singer 201 treadle - all foot powered! Awesome machine. I sew everything with it from tree straps to my last down top quilt.

Just got this from the 'bay today. I really like the look of the vintage Singers, but I didn't want to risk another obsession at the moment. For $80, I think I'll get a bit of experience with this one.

Good one - I would say it's too late the obsession has already started.

OK, I've finished a little project today.Very happy with my injector.

So, I learnt that its not about muscle power.....bent and broke a needle....lesson learnt.

But 4 or 5 times I've ended up ghost sewing, and have to re-thread the needle. I'm guessing at it now....the arm that goes up and down with the thread, does it need to be in the top position when you start stitching, because I think maybe this is pulling the three out of the needle if its at the bottom of its stroke ??

If there is not enough loose thread at the other side of the needle then it will unthread your needle.

Just make sure that you always have 10cm of thread pulled through the needle before you start injecting.

Yep it will pull more thread if not at the top. It gets annoying when it happens a few times doesn't it .

Bought this late last year and now have enough time to do something with it, first project is a synthetic filled vest. Simonm has just ordered in all the necessary materials and looking forward to getting started.

I just got a Singer 319K. (1950's model)
It sews really well and I think its my new favourite toy.

Scottyk wrote:I just got a Singer 319K. (1950's model)
It sews really well and I think its my new favourite toy.

I love the look of these old machines, they look so sturdy!

Yeah the old machines are pretty sweet.
That 319 is a beast of a machine.

I just came across this while browsing; a old variation of the concept.

Scottyk wrote:I just got a Singer 319K. (1950's model)
It sews really well and I think its my new favourite toy.

+1

I have a 320K model. Same as yours but freearm, circa 1958-1961.

Apart from the capacitor in the foot controller shorting out causing the motor to keep running (just removed the offending cap to fix), it has been bullet proof.

As an aside the machines labelled made in Great Britain were made in Scotland.

DannyS I used to have one of those Husqvarna Optoma 150s! It was a lovely little machine. I overdid it (or underdid the servicing) and blew it up sewing a sleeping bag for my wife the night before a trip many moons ago. Smoke pouring out the back and everything.

philthy wrote:DannyS I used to have one of those Husqvarna Optoma 150s! It was a lovely little machine. I overdid it (or underdid the servicing) and blew it up sewing a sleeping bag for my wife the night before a trip many moons ago. Smoke pouring out the back and everything.

Thanks philthy that puts me at peace So far this one is good, hopefully it will continue on. I guess they're all good until they fail? I was looking for a walker foot last week, it feeds the top layer as well as the bottom. Supposed to be very good for slippery fabrics like silnylon etc... Trouble is the foot would be more than I paid for the machine, couldn't justify it so I will persevere with the standard setup.

Cheers

Danny