Mrs. SewNSew

I actually GOT a pattern wheel with this machine! It also had a manual but most of the pages are missing lol. It didn't have a foot controller so I had to find one of those. It had a cord but the bakelite connector had been shattered and glued and was in a terrible state. I found a new connector and got a new cord together for it. As soon as I unscrewed the old connector it fell apart in a million pieces so I was glad I bought the replacement.

manicmike

I bought an aluminium 201K a few weeks back from ebay (for $17). The main problem was the light. It was a Canadian model (converted to local voltage) and I couldn't find a light bulb to fit it (screw in type, and larger than the usual one).
So, I had one in the shed from a 96K industrial. Screwed it onto the old light mount and soldered it into the motor's electrical block. Fitted it with a 15W modern fluorescent bulb which is supposed to be equivalent of 75W. After it warmed up it's definitely impressive, and doesn't get too warm.
Had to turn it off to take a proper picture because it was so bright.
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The head of the light can be swivelled
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From the top. Mounting it was easy, just sandwiched the original fitting with one on the light.
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Turned it off for this. It's been angled back and moved so I don't get light directly in my eyes, but I've never been able to see the work this easily before so very happy and keen to get back to sewing

Sewnoma

Ohh, lucky!! Mine came with a great assortment of feet and the original foot controller, but no pattern wheel and no manual. I'm STILL waiting for the wheel I've ordered, haven't come across a manual yet (haven't really been looking though).

The bakelite plug on my machine body is broken too, but doesn't seem to harm the function so I've left it as-is. Those seem to be broken on a lot of these machines.

I STILL want to get the original one that belonged to my grandma. My aunt has it in storage now but she's in a 30+ year long war with my mother so she won't even talk to me, much less let me have it. (I'd even PAY her for it) BUT my cousins (3 boys) think it's all ridiculous and have pledged that all of Gran's sewing stuff will come to me whenever their mom either passes on or starts letting go of all her "stuff" she's got horded away. I just have to show up with a truck and help clear stuff out. DEAL!! I'd help anyway, but with a couple family sewing machines on offer you can bet I'll be there with bells on. LOL

Sewnoma

manicmike - I love that articulated lamp! It reminds me of the ones I see on some of the older Pfaffs.

Mrs. SewNSew

The 201K is saweeeet! I would love to find one of those!

manicmike

They're unbelievably good machines and everyone I know who has one loves them, but they're worth almost nothing here. Another QB member bought me one for $10 a few weeks back and it's better than the one in the photos.

I think there are a few of these in Canada (Tammi?). They're as good as a regular 201 (sewing mechanism is the same as the heavy version) but half the weight.

I've seen this sort of thing on the German 315G, which is also a domestic machine.
I still want to get a fluorescent with a smaller bulb (so it's a little more directed): My partner can't work on the other side of the table because it's so bright - I'm sewing a black jacket with black thread so very bright is required.

Just thought of all those machines people convert into just lamps. Ha! Seems it's possible to have the best of both worlds

Mrs. SewNSew

I set the Pfaff aside until my replacement part for the tension arrives. In the meantime I put a Singer 201 on my table. I couldn't tell what was going on with the paint job. I figured it was the clear coat failing, but have changed my mind on that. The machine had a weird grey speckled haze but after starting the clean up I started noticing the haze was in places I never see clear coat problems. The tension piece had it, the bakelite terminal piece had it. I think now that the machine was left uncovered somewhere near where paint was being sprayed and received a light dusting.

The tension spring was a real mess. Luckily I had a spare. It also had a broken brush cap. I was able to score it well enough to get it out. The motor is currently lying in pieces but it's clean.

Sewnoma

That spring definitely looks like it's had better days!

Are you going to try to fix the paint on the 201? It looks "dusty" in the picture. Maybe the overspray can be buffed off, somehow?

Mrs. SewNSew

I have most of it off already. It looks like it should clean up pretty nicely.

Sewnoma

LOL, I should have guessed!

You're so industrious!