BarbaraSue

"Louise" recently came to visit "Thelma", and we all agreed she was a good fit for the group. "Louise" is a 1948 Singer 128-23=godzilla, sewing machine. She has a vibrating shuttle, and will be complete when my next package arrives. She is 3/4 size machine, but weighs a ton ( sorry Louise), and has her Bentwood case.
Her wiring is hideous, and likely is the original, so I have not plugged her in. all the parts move freely and togehter the best I can see. She has a potted motor on the back, and a light that is added to the motor, both could be removed.
I am considering making her a hand crank machine. In so doing I will have to replace her wheel to be able to add the crank. This is where I am second guessing the idea. Is this feasible, or just an absolutely stupid idea?
Is there any other changes that I am not thinking of that would also have to be done to make her a hand crank.

Why a hand crank? Becuase I want one!!! I don't need another straight stitch only ,electric machine.
So, Ladies if you have thoughts or suggestions, warnings or cheers, please let me know.

Here are pics for you to see "Louise". thanks to you all for looking.

Charlee

Hi Barb! Louise doesn't have a potted motor, those are an intregal part of the machine. Her motor is removable, and with a spoked handwheel, you'd have a great canidate for a handcrank.
If that's what you're wanting, I don't see any reason not to go for it.

Candace

I got this same machine as a gift for Christmas, though mine is knee operated and in a tad better condition. Sews like a tank, is very loud but makes a very nice stitch.

BarbaraSue

Oh, I thought it was a potted motor as it sits behind the arm in a box. HA! But it is still doable to remove the motor... without major surgery?.... (on her or.... me?) Is that what Billy calls a "motor-ectomy"?
I didn't want to ruin the machine, but it has lived a hard life as it is. I'm not sure I could deplete its value too much more, unless the hand crank idea would do that.
DH isn't understanding why I'd want to not have her electric. Don't know that I can explain it to him in terms he would understand fully.

BarbaraSue

When you say, a "tad" better, please tell me you can see what it is. Ha! In the picture the name Singer shows up better than in life!! I don't know if this model actually had decals with the wrinkle finish, but I was certain that the name Singer was decalled on it. I know that the wheel had decals, because parts of them are still visible on one half of it.

Candace

The decals on mine are in good shape..all except the one on the bed and all the blackside finish and machine finish is very nice on mine. I would tell your hubby that the hand crank will make it quieter. I did notice mine scoots all over the table from vibration of the machine and possibly the knee control. It' s a nice conversation piece and I used it for a whole weekend, but I doubt I'll ever use it again. It sits on top of the antique piano in it's case now. It was the first shuttle machine I've ever used and I enjoyed it. But, I have so many other vintage machines that don't create that noise level;>

Candace

I found a pic I took on Christmas. Here it is.

paulettepoe

geeez....louise.

BarbaraSue

Candace, your machine is very pretty. It is nice to see what the machine is supposed to look like. Thank you for sharing your pics.
I thought that since "Louise" is so heavy that she would be a good candidate for the hand crank.
I think that I'll just go for it. I still need to clean her up more, might as well change her out at the same time.
Thank you all for your comments.

Daylesewblessed

Tell your husband that it is wise to own a working hand crank machine in case an emergency causes an extended outage with your region's section of the national power grid. At least you could sew in the dark.