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Here are three identical machines, each badged differently as Arrow, Bel-Air, and Reliable:īoiled linseed oil. In fact, the National Two Spool was sold under the name Eldredge as well as several other names." I collect Nationals and there are over 1000 known badge names for Nationals alone. "The practice of badging was in place by the 1890s," collector Anne Kusilek reminds us, "long before the influx of Japanese machines. These machines were then "badged" with different brand names, often per orders from American department stores and distributors. Japanese production took design queues from Western trends and styled the machines in bold colors, chrome, and often retro-futuristic dials and buttons - much like American cars of the 1950s. Some believe that Japanese machines based on the Singer 15 were actually better engineered than the American-built predecessor. "Made in Japan" was a mark of quality at that time. Early models were based on the Singer 15, but Japanese engineering soon brought innovation beyond straight-stitch machines. Be careful if your badge has color in the border or design - some polishes and cleaning agents can strip away that color, and you won't be able to recover that original appearance easily - can you imagine hand-painting the Centennial badge pictured below to replace the blue color? One of the safest techniques to clean your brass Singer badges is to use baking soda and distilled vinegar as a paste on a toothbrush, scrubbing the badge gently and wiping away the excess fluid as you work.Ī second and larger definition of "badge" often relates to Japanese-manufactured machines.įollowing the devastation of World War II, Japan began producing sewing machines in staggering amounts as they rebuilt their industry and economy. There are special badges that Singer used to designate special years and events, like their Centennial medallion. Some collectors like these to be polished to a shine, and others prefer them to remain somewhat dull, proudly displaying the long-term impact of time.
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The oval brass medallions common to Singers are certainly one type of badge. This article will help new enthusiasts to pick up quickly on VSM lingo.īadge has two important meanings among VSM (vintage sewing machine) collectors. This is covered in another FAQ.Vintage sewing machine collectors have their own jargon. Also the needle eye must be just below the hook point.Īfter timing the needle to hook, the next task that may need to be checked or adjusted would be the feed timing, which is the feed dog moment to needle movement. The optimum position you must achieve is the needle should be inline with the hook point. Turn the hook by hand in the same direction as the machine would run (the top shaft and needle must not move), watch the hook movement as the hook point rotates behind needle point - when the hook point is directly behind the needle tighten all gears etc. Loosen the hook gear or belt pulleys (usually held in place by 2 or 3 allen key screws) Keep turning the hand wheel by hand, and stop only when the needle point moves to its lowest point, then moves back up - Stop turning when the needle moves exactly 2.2 mm higher than its lowest position. That hook should catch the thread from the needle eye. Watch as the needle moves up and down just like the animated image below, see how the needle should go to its lowest point then up slightly, just as the hook point rotates past the needle. Turn hand wheel anticlockwise the needle will move up and down. Set the sewing machine to straight stitch with center needle position.
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This information will set the needle to the hook timing correctly. You may need to remove the feed dog if required for a better view. Remove all the thread and remove the bobbin case and needle plate. This is extremely important, the needle must be unused, and the correct one! Follow these instruction to reset the sewing machine needle timing.īut, first replace the needle with a size 90 brand new sewing machine needle. If your sewing machine is missing stitches, or the needle seems to be catching on the bobbin case or hook.