Finding vintage machine resources
#132
Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
I was hoping to find a source for available tensioners for these machines, It just seems with all the tension units available there would be one that just bolts right on, only I don't know which one that would be, I hoped someone here would.
The one that started me on this quest was the first "clone" I bought and it's tensioner had been taken apart and parts lost, only I didn't know what parts those were because I was unfamiliar with exactly what it should have.
I have since found the exact match on ebay, but even though I no longer need one for this machine I still would like to know if any exist new that will work as replacements.
Thanks
Mark
#133
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Sew classic used to stock tension pieces other suppliers may, too
I doubt if you can just pop any old tensioner in.
You can buy the whole plate with a rebuilt tensioner from somebody who has extras laying around... it sounds like that is what you did.
I doubt if you can just pop any old tensioner in.
You can buy the whole plate with a rebuilt tensioner from somebody who has extras laying around... it sounds like that is what you did.
Last edited by miriam; 08-29-2018 at 03:08 PM.
#134
Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
The back plate for it was missing, the spring, and the small stop washer.
I found one on ebay complete with the nose plate and another that was just all in pieces, so I bought both.
I'm just starting with this, so I had no "parts" laying around to fix it and wasn't sure exactly what was missing.
Now I know that particular tensioner like the back of my hand, but still would like to find some complete.
I have a hunch that the The Singer HA #17 tensioner can be made to work and will look right on the machine (like original) but I haven't bought one of those yet to play around with it and find out.
#136
Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 20
Can anyone find a manual or which cams go to this please. I have found no information on this model. There is tons of information on the 803A but nothing on this model of the 803 except I know it was made by Riccar. The casting of the machine has Riccar stamped on it. I would appreciate if you could find a clone like it somewhere. Must be one out there someplace. It is a Free-Westinghouse. Glowygirl2
#138
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 4,096
Like Miriam said in the other thread, it's a badged Japanese machine. It could have been sold under a hundred different names. You probably won't find a manual under the name, you'll have to go by pics. Same with the cams, try to find a pic that shows a machine with its cams, then you'll know what to look for. Cam boxes rarely have a name on them and there are tons of different ones.
Cari
Cari
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post