View Full Version : The machine is IN
NCPatrick
03-28-2007, 07:38
Just got my sewing machine delivered Monday (bought it on Ebay). I'm waiting for the instructions, which I ordered separately (thanks to gstepclassical for the link). I waited to order those in case it was delivered with some and it wasn't.
The machine (Sears Kenmore, model 16) is pretty heavy at 44 pounds, and comes with what I think is called a cabinet(!?), a heavy box attached to the bottom of the machine by hinges. The whole thing is very well oiled (almost too much so, I've got to clean it off some) and very quiet. Looks like it could handle some seriously heavy duty work. I'm looking forward to trying it out, as soon as the instructions arrive and I can figure out how to thread the thing. There's still some strangely colored thread (green? black?) on the bobbin, which I have no idea how to remove. Waiting for the instructions...
So as soon as I can, I'm gonna FEED THE MACHINE. :D
gstepclassical
03-28-2007, 07:49
Glad to hear it made the trip safe and sound. There is a lever on the bobbin case that is used to release it from the housing. When it fully opened it captures the bobbin and allows it to be removed without dropping it. If you remove it make sure when you reinstall it that you keep the lever fully open until the case if seated. There is also a "hook" at the top of the bobbin case that fits into a corresponding slot in the shuttle housing. Pretty simple once you do it a couple of times. Wish I lived closer so I could give you a hand with it. Good luck and have fun. You will be making your own gear in no time. Let me know if you have any questions.
NCPatrick
03-28-2007, 07:57
Thanks gstep! The instructions should help. I'm a fairly visual learner, so I think I'm gonna have to see the picture in the manual. I really appreciate you finding the link to the manual.
Say, you don't have 80 sheep living in your downstairs do you? I read today on CNN that some guy from Apex, NC had 80 sheep living with him in his house. :eek: :confused:
gstepclassical
03-28-2007, 08:01
Glad to be able to help and I had a real time trying to find names for all those sheep!!! Hmmm, Wonder if I could make wool thread. BTW here is something you may be interested in:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BUTTONHOLER-CAMS-FOR-KENMORE-MODEL-16-SEWING-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ170086880445QQcmdZViewItem#ebayph otohosting
NCPatrick
03-28-2007, 08:26
Yes, I saw that on ebay. I'm considering getting them. Thanks.
NCPatrick
03-28-2007, 14:35
Ok, I couldn't resist. I bought them.
13 CAMS FOR DECORATIVE STITCHES - BUTTONHOLE CAMS FOR NINE DIFFERENT SIZE BUTTONHOLES, INCLUDING EYELET.
Not sure what I'll use all that for, but maybe when my 3 daughters get old enough to want to try to sew stuff, they'll find them handy.
That's ALL though. Not buying ANYTHING else. :rolleyes:
headchange4u
03-28-2007, 14:37
That's ALL though. Not buying ANYTHING else. :rolleyes:
What about fabric, webbing, needles, rotary cutter, tape measures, thread, velcro,.....:rolleyes: :p
NCPatrick
03-28-2007, 14:43
Nope, none of that. Just going to sit here and look at my machine from now on. :mad:
Ok, well maybe I do need some webbing, some descending rings, and some needles, some ridgeline and hammock support line, and definitely a seam ripper... but I'm getting off of ebay right now for sure. :)
Come on ebay is great. I just got my prefectly working pocketmail in the mail for $35 shipped.
NCPatrick
03-28-2007, 15:09
No! No more about ebay! I can't HEAR you. LALALALALA. HMM HMMM HMMM.... (walking quickly away with fingers in my ears).
gstepclassical
03-28-2007, 18:41
The buttonhole capability will come in handy on anything that has a drawstring. You can use it to reinforce the opening for the cord.
NCPatrick
03-31-2007, 06:08
Finally got my manual in the mail, set everything up after much trial and tribulation (which gave me a much better understanding of how the whole machine works), and ran a few test hems in some scrap cloth. Looks like I'm good to go.
Just Jeff
03-31-2007, 06:34
You read the manual?! I'm sure it was useful, but still...I gotta clip a corner off your man-card! :D
But maybe you can tape it back if you post some pics of your projects...
NCPatrick
03-31-2007, 06:49
Hey, if I didn't read it, I'd still be elbow deep in thread and oil, trying to figure out how that da*n bobbin was supposed to work. As it stands, I had to call someone to find out how the bobbin thread was supposed to "magically" work, since the manual was completely silent on the issue.
RE: the Man card? I live in a house with 4 females, I have no worries about the man card. I have worries about my overall sanity, but not about the man card.
But I will post pictures.
Hope all comes out Patrick, looking forward to seeing your project pics. Anyone have a suggestion for a first sewing maching? I want a relatively inexpensive one, but not sure about brands, models, features etc. Any hints or suggestions?
I recommend Firefly Ridge Sewing Products (http://stores.ebay.com/Firefly-Ridge-Sewing-Products). This guy built me a monster machine from an old Necchi. He lowered the gearing and put on a bigger motor. It was only $225 and it can sew through just a bunch of think fabric. Email him and let him know what you plan to make and he will put together a machine for you that will totally rock.
Stay away from those Cheap-Mart sewing machines. I sewed my first hammock with a cheap machine, and I had a hard time simply sewing the ridgeline of my tarp. These new machines ain't like the old machines. Old Skool Rules.
Here a picture of my a hot rodded Necchi (http://biketour.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_biketour_archive.html)
headchange4u
03-31-2007, 10:05
I recommend Firefly Ridge Sewing Products (http://stores.ebay.com/Firefly-Ridge-Sewing-Products). This guy built me a monster machine from an old Necchi. He lowered the gearing and put on a bigger motor. It was only $225 and it can sew through just a bunch of think fabric. Email him and let him know what you plan to make and he will put together a machine for you that will totally rock.
Here a picture of my current machine: a hot rodded Necchi (http://biketour.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_biketour_archive.html)
Where's the painted on flames?
I can see the black leather jackets now with this on the back:
"Hell's Stitchers"
and a picture of a demon sewing machine with fire shooting from the needle as it pierces the cloth.
Thanks for the link. I have looking at getting a Pfaff machine because they are supposed to be one of the best. They have several older machines on Ebay that sell for $50-100 + shipping and a lot of them are German made. I may contact this guy and see what he has to offer.
Where's the painted on flames?
I can see the black leather jackets now with this on the back:
"Hell's Stitchers"
and a picture of a demon sewing machine with fire shooting from the needle as it pierces the cloth.
Thanks for the link. I have looking at getting a Pfaff machine because they are supposed to be one of the best. They have several older machines on Ebay that sell for $50-100 + shipping and a lot of them are German made. I may contact this guy and see what he has to offer.
lol, I never thought of putting Harley's and stitchers in the same sentence. That's funny.
Yeah, Pfaff is really good. Go ahead and spend some money on a good machine. Don't rule out buying an full blown industrial machine either. The main disadvantage of an industrial machine is that they only have one stitch. That's why they're so reliable: simple design. My Necchi only has two stitches: straight and zigzag.
blackbishop351
03-31-2007, 11:00
I recommend Firefly Ridge Sewing Products (http://stores.ebay.com/Firefly-Ridge-Sewing-Products). This guy built me a monster machine from an old Necchi. He lowered the gearing and put on a bigger motor. It was only $225 and it can sew through just a bunch of think fabric. Email him and let him know what you plan to make and he will put together a machine for you that will totally rock.
Stay away from those Cheap-Mart sewing machines. I sewed my first hammock with a cheap machine, and I had a hard time simply sewing the ridgeline of my tarp. These new machines ain't like the old machines. Old Skool Rules.
Here a picture of my a hot rodded Necchi (http://biketour.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_biketour_archive.html)
Wow...a custom sewing machine guy. There goes my gear money for the next couple months! :eek:
Just to play devil's advocate, the cheap machines can work really well. I've been using a little, basic Brother machine since I started sewing and it hasn't failed me yet. And I've sewn through some crazy-thick stuff with it - probably shouldn't have in hindsight, but it turned out fine! :p
gstepclassical
03-31-2007, 13:18
Check out some local sewing machine stores as they take some in on trade. Some of the old all metal sewing machines will serve you great such as the Kenmore's or Singer's. You don't need a million fancy stitches, just straight and zig-zag will do for most applications. I picked up a bullet proof Kenmore for $49 at a local sewing machine place. It needed a good cleaning and lube and a couple of things tightened but I would venture to say it is running as good as new now. It has stitched through six layers of denim with power to spare and is very smooth running. Pay attention to what kind of presser bar shank it has as the high and super-high Kenmore feet are beginning to get hard to find. Low shank (bar) machines seem to be the norm. Good luck and you might also check garage sales Sat. mornings.
Bird Dog
04-01-2007, 06:18
Here a picture of my a hot rodded Necchi (http://biketour.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_biketour_archive.html)
Most guys take pictures of their cars, motorcycles, girls, guns, etc.....But their sewing machine? You should have seen the look on my daughters faces when I asked for a machine for my birthday! :D Good thing my son is only 9 months old. By the time he's old enough to understand maybe I'll have all my projects done! :D
BD
slowhike
04-01-2007, 06:28
Most guys take pictures of their cars, motorcycles, girls, guns, etc.....But their sewing machine? You should have seen the look on my daughters faces when I asked for a machine for my birthday! :D Good thing my son is only 9 months old. By the time he's old enough to understand maybe I'll have all my projects done! :D
BD
just bring him up w/ the understanding that real men know how to make their own stuff... including quilts:cool:
Just Jeff
04-01-2007, 07:14
That's what I try to convince myself - there's nothing more manly than meeting your own needs, and I can't buy a lot of the stuff I make. That's manly, right?! :confused: :D
Bird Dog
04-01-2007, 07:17
In our minds...Its very manly....But, only in OUR minds. BD
What could be more manly than walking into the woods and surviving off of what you made.
slowhike
04-01-2007, 11:43
What could be more manly than walking into the woods and surviving off of what you made.
hey... that's what i'm talkin about:cool:
blackbishop351
04-01-2007, 11:46
What could be more manly than walking into the woods and surviving off of what you made.
I think (in other peoples' minds) its more the process than the end result...kinda like swimmers who shave their legs to win races :p
I think (in other peoples' minds) its more the process than the end result...kinda like swimmers who shave their legs to win races :p
Yeah, but I think by now most of us are already used to those looks. I finally stopped getting those looks from the roommate when I slept in the backyard.:confused:
guys guys!!! i think you are missing the point here..we should be encouraging him ..to become a great master of the art of sewing..after all ..when he gets good enough...some of us may have some projects he could help with
slowhike
04-01-2007, 16:47
guys guys!!! i think you are missing the point here..we should be encouraging him ..to become a great master of the art of sewing..after all ..when he gets good enough...some of us may have some projects he could help with
hey... that's a good point!!!