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Handcrank sewing machine

I have to sew a large number of straps/handles onto canvas, straps being canvas themselves and sometimes light leather. Sewing construction will be typical "X" inside a box. Box ax. 1 1/4" on a side.

Having a little trouble controlling my machine, sewing slowly enough but with power. I'm thinking of converting an old Singer Spartan to hand crank, three stitches for 1 revolution of the crank.

I don't have the option of trying this out on an existing machine. Anyone have any experience with handcranking as far a gaining some power and slowing things down for more control vs, a regular machine like Pfaff 130 or Singer 201? Is this hand crank a step in the right direction?

Any help appreciated, thanks.

JPBill

Reply to
Bill Boyce
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I've got a Singer 99 I converted to a handcrank. It certainly gives you more control vrs a motored machine. It does not seem to give me any more power, though, than any of my other vintage machines....I also found my hand gets tired after a while (I mainly use it to piece quilt blocks or sew seams) and would likely happen moreso if I were sewing heavy/thick stuff.

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

My experience with my handcrank machine is that it would not be better, although a treadle would.

You might want to see if you can f>

Reply to
Samantha Hill - remove TRASH t

straps being

construction will

enough but

hand

machine.

some power

like

right direction?

I seem to recall there being something called a ?power wheel? which was an oversized spoked hand wheel.

This ?power wheel? replaced the standard hand crank wheel on the sewing machine and was a larger diameter, like say from 5" standard to a 7-9" oversized hand wheel/pully and it slowed the machine down but could allow one to give a little more power/torque ?

I thought i remembered seeing them on ebay and my failing memory recalls that someone was manufacturing (lathing) them for some vintage singers and pfaffs and such

I did try to search based on my memory and the closest similar thing i could find was this example but this is only for sailrite but it is a similar idea ...

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robb

Reply to
robb

Industrial treadles have larger balance wheels, not handwheels. They are more powerful. Look at a Singer 31-15 treadle to see the difference. Some people report getting a lot of power from their Singer

15 treadles, and their Singer 201 treadles (hard to find) but the industrial 31-15 beats them both.
Reply to
Pogonip

I've used both my Singer 66 and a 28 for this sort of operation, both hand cranked. It works very well. Remember to use a leather needle for the leather and a large JEANS needle for the canvas straps. Topstitching/upholstery thread might also be a good move...

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

Many thanks to you and others who also gave excellent advice. I'm looking into having a large, heavy handwheel made for my Spartan, because standard handcranks have a 3:1 speed gear-up and I want to go as slow as possible,1:1. I'd just be giving up the bobbin winding function, but that's no problem. JPBill

Reply to
Bill Boyce

Do report back, Bill. I'm curious as to how it goes.

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

That might just work.

Reply to
Samantha Hill - remove TRASH t

Will do, Irene JPBill

Reply to
Bill Boyce

I didn't bother with a bigger handwheel, it wasn't necessary. If the needle wouldn't go through a particularly thick bit, I juste wrapped the handle in a bit of spare cloth and tapped it gently with the hammer until it did. Did the job and did no harm to my Spinning Jenny Singer

66K back in 1974...

See! There really ARE engineer genes in me! ;)

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

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