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  1. #11
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    ahem.. operative word being _could_. Even when I was fishing I couldn't figure out what fishing line was used for what. I'll stick to the sewing departments and leave the bait shops to serve sushi.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
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    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

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  2. #12
    Great thread which I should have read earlier in the week as have just bought a thread injector on ebay. It was a Vigorelli E375, could find no information about it at all with on line searches, so if anyone knows of it please let me know. It was too much of a bargain to pass up I thought, and low postage, was said to be working and solidly built so went for it. Turns out it ran but was very stiff, have spent around 10 hrs on it and it now runs very smoothly, everything on it is made of metal apart from the lamp holder and motor cover, and seems to of had very little use from what I can tell, but I guess I will struggle if something wears out or breaks on it. I have gone from complete newbee to a glimmer of understanding about how my machine works and how to set it up and maintain it in those 10 hours, so not a complete waste. Be warned though, a sellers idea of working is that everything wiggles about when switched on it seems, not necessarily that it sews. Just need to learn how to use it now, by working through the we dont sew series.
    I found a series of 5 videos on maintenance a big help.


  3. #13
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Having watched the first episode and only the first I have a very grave concern which she did not mention. NOTE: She has an entirely mechanical machine. There are no electronic boards or adjustments in there. PLEASE do NOT try this on an electronic machine of any kind. The use of metal tools and screwdrivers can short out circuit boards in nothing flat. Should that happen you will be in deep trouble because the boards are usually very expensive and can be quite fragile.

    Magnetized screwdrivers can erase stored data in memory cells with an electronic computerized machine. Again, if you do that you are toast.

    I do NOT recommend blowing air into an electronic or computerized machine as static electricity can create shorts and particles of flying dust can short out electrical connections. If there are tiny bits of metal dust in that stuff you can wipe out the electronics in no time.

    Maybe these concerns are overly inflated, but in my experience with electrical machinery if something can go wrong it will sooner or later. I am convinced there is a time when people know just enough to be dangerous. In so far as a fully mechanical machine is concerned it looks like it might be useful. I counsel to leave the electronic and computerized machines to the experts.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  4. #14
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    Having watched the first episode and only the first I have a very grave concern which she did not mention. NOTE: She has an entirely mechanical machine. There are no electronic boards or adjustments in there. PLEASE do NOT try this on an electronic machine of any kind. The use of metal tools and screwdrivers can short out circuit boards in nothing flat. Should that happen you will be in deep trouble because the boards are usually very expensive and can be quite fragile.

    Magnetized screwdrivers can erase stored data in memory cells with an electronic computerized machine. Again, if you do that you are toast.

    I do NOT recommend blowing air into an electronic or computerized machine as static electricity can create shorts and particles of flying dust can short out electrical connections. If there are tiny bits of metal dust in that stuff you can wipe out the electronics in no time.

    Maybe these concerns are overly inflated, but in my experience with electrical machinery if something can go wrong it will sooner or later. I am convinced there is a time when people know just enough to be dangerous. In so far as a fully mechanical machine is concerned it looks like it might be useful. I counsel to leave the electronic and computerized machines to the experts.
    It seems most of the machines I see are electronic. Do they even sell mechanical sewing machines any more? My wife's 35 year old Viking recently died and we're looking to replace it.

    Thanks, Miguel

  5. #15
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel View Post
    It seems most of the machines I see are electronic. Do they even sell mechanical sewing machines any more? My wife's 35 year old Viking recently died and we're looking to replace it.

    Thanks, Miguel
    Singer still makes and sells a hand crank that can be connected to a treadle.

    I purchased mine 25 years ago for $199 cnd.
    Sad to say it isn't with me any more,
    but when I had it, it would pass through 4 layers of heavy denim,
    and also would sew the lightest of materials.

    I was told ". . . of course they still make them,
    what do you think they use in India where there is no power"?

    I made denim shirts, pants, MC jackets,
    and my paste-du-resistance (?), "The Texas Long Coat"

    I am sure you should be able to find a new one,
    and if not, the singer hand crank would be a good eBay buy . . .
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  6. #16
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bradley View Post
    Singer still makes and sells a hand crank that can be connected to a treadle.

    I purchased mine 25 years ago for $199 cnd.
    Sad to say it isn't with me any more,
    but when I had it, it would pass through 4 layers of heavy denim,
    and also would sew the lightest of materials.

    I was told ". . . of course they still make them,
    what do you think they use in India where there is no power"?

    I made denim shirts, pants, MC jackets,
    and my paste-du-resistance (?), "The Texas Long Coat"

    I am sure you should be able to find a new one,
    and if not, the singer hand crank would be a good eBay buy . . .
    ***All Metal Parts***
    One example
    Maybe I meant to say computerized machines. I'm not talking about mechanical as in "hand crank". My wife's old Viking didn't have buttons to push when changing stitches. You actually had to insert some mechanical gizmo into the machine.

  7. #17
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramblinrev View Post
    I do NOT recommend blowing air into an electronic or computerized machine ...
    Almost all computer devices have electric fans, many of them unfiltered.

    It's when they are not cleaned with a light blast of air or propellant, and dust gets thick, that it becomes a problem.

    A friend of mine lost their A/C last weekend due to spiders making nests in the curcuitry!
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  8. #18
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    What happened to the wife's machine? The reason I ask is if it still functions for gear making, you can co=opt that one for yourself and begin looking for a more modern machine for your wife. If you sprang for a viking 35 years ago you may have a major problem. She's spoiled rotten. That's not a bad thing. But it does mean that she will have expectations that far exceed the quality of the mechanical machines available today. At least to my knowledge. IMO it is worth investing in an excellent modern machine for the wife. She's not making gear... If she's had a viking that died after 35 years she is not a gear maker she's a seamstress. For those purposes the computerized fancy stitches available on the more modern machines are heads and shoulders above the technology available even 10 years ago.

    The other factor that works into this is she will likely be using stretch stitches. While the zig-zag is a functional stretch stitch for gear making, she won't be satisfied with it for the more modern stretch fabrics. Computerized machines are required for good stretch stitches because the four directional stitch patterns required are too cumbersome for mechanical linkage. IMO good modern machines are no longer home repairable. It's like comparing cars before emissions systems and circuit boards to a 1956 muscle car.

    If you do decide to go basic model then pick her up a good serger. She'll love you for that.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  9. #19
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MacEntyre View Post
    Almost all computer devices have electric fans, many of them unfiltered.

    It's when they are not cleaned with a light blast of air or propellant, and dust gets thick, that it becomes a problem.

    A friend of mine lost their A/C last weekend due to spiders making nests in the curcuitry!
    Your point is well taken. However, I am basing my assesment off the maintenance of desktop and laptop computers as well. It has been suggested to me that compressed air never be blown into the circuitry of a modern computer. Brushes and small suction devices are better suited. If I am incorrect here then I'll stand corrected. I've seen circuit boards fry from compressed air.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  10. #20
    Oh dear, did not mean to cause any controversy with my first post and video link, just thought it was a handy resource for people like myself that have bought there first mechanical machine, found it doesn't really work, no instructions and have no clue where to start. I watched a lot of videos for information on what to do and thought this was the most informative by far. It would be much better to take the machine to specialist for a service, but this will no longer make it a low cost purchase, and is probably the reason they are going cheap to start with. Guess I was lucky and just wanted to help anyone else who found themselves in the same situation.

    Markc

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