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Gunsmithing tools for vintage sewing machines? (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 10/29/22 5:59 AM ET
As you may be aware since I may have casually mentioned it once or twice, I have recently become enamoured of little black vintage Singer sewing machines and I really enjoy taking them apart, cleaning and reassembling.
But, as I have mentioned previously, Singer fastenings like screws and nuts are vile things, made of soft metal with impossible imperial (fractions of an inch, good lord!) sizing and proprietary thread pitches. And my modern metric tools are just not up to the job and cause damage too easily.
So, any recommendations for appropriate tools? I thought that my friends in the US (still using those fractions of an inch, good lord!) might have some ideas about what to use. I came across gunsmithing tools which I can get in the UK, which have hollow-ground imperial sizes, made by Wheeler or Chapman, has anybody tried them?
Or indeed, any other ideas? I had a look at vintage tools but not much is available here and people seem to think that any old cheap, chipped and rusty screwdriver must be worth a lot because it was made in the 50s. Huh.
But, as I have mentioned previously, Singer fastenings like screws and nuts are vile things, made of soft metal with impossible imperial (fractions of an inch, good lord!) sizing and proprietary thread pitches. And my modern metric tools are just not up to the job and cause damage too easily.
So, any recommendations for appropriate tools? I thought that my friends in the US (still using those fractions of an inch, good lord!) might have some ideas about what to use. I came across gunsmithing tools which I can get in the UK, which have hollow-ground imperial sizes, made by Wheeler or Chapman, has anybody tried them?
Or indeed, any other ideas? I had a look at vintage tools but not much is available here and people seem to think that any old cheap, chipped and rusty screwdriver must be worth a lot because it was made in the 50s. Huh.
Posted on: 10/29/22 1:58 PM ET
Quite a few over at Victorian Sweatshop Forum like the Chapman (#9600 set?). I've not yet sprung for a set, no idea why. If that set is not available, I guess compare what the difference is in bit sizes in that vs. the gun sets, and go from there. You can buy bits separately to replace or fill gaps, but apparently the shipping on just a few bits is horrendous, so if you order a set, consider buying any other separate bits you might want at the same time.
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justgail.wordpress.com
Posted on: 10/29/22 4:01 PM ET
In reply to FatMog
The gunsmithing tools are no doubt for those who want to shoot their wadders.. Makes perfect sense to me..
Fatmog.. you remind me sometimes of Lynn Rowe.. a member a while back who collected these featherweights .. her collection was quite impressive.. Its easy to fall in love with those vintage machines.
Fatmog.. you remind me sometimes of Lynn Rowe.. a member a while back who collected these featherweights .. her collection was quite impressive.. Its easy to fall in love with those vintage machines.
Posted on: 10/29/22 5:35 PM ET
In reply to poorpigling
Oh I remember Lynn, it’s a shame she no longer posts. She used to keep her vintage machines in the oven and eat protein bars instead, as I remember!
Posted on: 10/29/22 5:45 PM ET
In reply to justgail
Thank you, I have just looked at the US Chapman website and they actually tout that set as a sewing machine friendly set, so looks like I am on the right track. Unfortunately I thought it was available on Amazon in the UK , but it’s only as a US import and we generally need to factor in an extra 25% if we import stuff. Makes it a bit spendy.
Posted on: 10/29/22 7:06 PM ET
In reply to FatMog
You are not supposed to try to turn a screw with blunt force and if it won't turn rather easy. Since of course things get stripped then. Does not matter what the tool is really. Instead, your best tool then is real solvent.Which is actually liquid instead. Put some on. let it sit there a while, then put a screw driver whose tip fits into the top of the screw right, (and not too small) and then lightly tap that screw driver on it's handle with another one, holding the first one very lightly, setting up a light vibration, that travels down that, and that loosens things up, and lets the solvent penetrate further. Then try again. a later, if that still does not work, just keep repeating that, as eventual it will work. Then you won't think that all the screws are vile anymore and they won't get stripped. But, it's not really a particular screw driver or some socket that strips something, it's really the person behind it instead when that happens. 
Kind of just like, when someone sews something, the end result is it not really the particular machine they are using most times, but instead more the person sitting in the chair in front of it even.
-- Edited on 10/29/22 at 7:32 PM ET --

Kind of just like, when someone sews something, the end result is it not really the particular machine they are using most times, but instead more the person sitting in the chair in front of it even.
-- Edited on 10/29/22 at 7:32 PM ET --
Posted on: 10/29/22 7:47 PM ET
Recently got the Chapman set...lovely set
My father was a machinist and always kept correct size tools around, or he would machine one.
When he died, I was way out of state, like states out of state, and couldn't bring stuff back on plane...real loss.
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My father was a machinist and always kept correct size tools around, or he would machine one.
When he died, I was way out of state, like states out of state, and couldn't bring stuff back on plane...real loss.
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You can lead people to the truth, but can't make them think.
Posted on: 10/30/22 3:12 AM ET
In reply to FatMog
I understand your problem...I've got two pretty full sets of tools! For household stuff, not just for sewing machines. My suggestion would be to find someone traveling to the USA, order and get it delivered to them while they are there, and have them carry it back in their luggage. Might take you some time, but it's going to be the most efficient way to get it to you that won't cost a bundle.
You mostly need just screwdrivers?? Here's some other places to look...
Harley Davidson Motorcycle repair place...the motocycle geeks mostly want rachet wrenchs, but it's imperial and they may have screwdrivers. you might find a tool kit that will have what you want.
Watchmaking tool kits...lots of small sized precision screwdrivers. Tell me the sizes you are after and I can look..lots of watchmaking supplies where I am. These may be too small for you, however. Watchmakers also have nice holders that you can fit various sized bits into...so you'd only need to buy the bits and not the whole kit from USA.
Eyeglass shops..they have lots of smaller screwdrivers. Go in for a chat and see if anything will fit what you need, then ask them where they get their tools.
Bike shops might have imperial..but most bikes are now metric.
I have a small, battery powered electric screwdriver with a full range of bits of all sizes... I'm not usually doing sewing machine work...but these bits seem to work on imperial stuff I have around the house.
Phillips head screws work ok with either an imperial or metric screwdriver (usually). I have an eyeglass repair kit that works pretty well on my sewing machines.
look at this kit...at least it's in Europe already. might give you what you need... but it's officially metric:
https://www.pearl.ch/en/38-piece-tool-bit-set-with-ratchet-pearl-edition-nx5345.html
that place also has a bunch of watchmaker (uhrmacher) tools...go thru their catalog.
https://www.pearl.ch/en/62-pcs-professional-screwdriver-bit-set-for-electronics-amp-precision-mechanics-nx6891.html
another massive set...not too expensive. ships from Switzerland (or I'll mail it to you.) this seems to have every size under the sun.
You mostly need just screwdrivers?? Here's some other places to look...
Harley Davidson Motorcycle repair place...the motocycle geeks mostly want rachet wrenchs, but it's imperial and they may have screwdrivers. you might find a tool kit that will have what you want.
Watchmaking tool kits...lots of small sized precision screwdrivers. Tell me the sizes you are after and I can look..lots of watchmaking supplies where I am. These may be too small for you, however. Watchmakers also have nice holders that you can fit various sized bits into...so you'd only need to buy the bits and not the whole kit from USA.
Eyeglass shops..they have lots of smaller screwdrivers. Go in for a chat and see if anything will fit what you need, then ask them where they get their tools.
Bike shops might have imperial..but most bikes are now metric.
I have a small, battery powered electric screwdriver with a full range of bits of all sizes... I'm not usually doing sewing machine work...but these bits seem to work on imperial stuff I have around the house.
Phillips head screws work ok with either an imperial or metric screwdriver (usually). I have an eyeglass repair kit that works pretty well on my sewing machines.
look at this kit...at least it's in Europe already. might give you what you need... but it's officially metric:
https://www.pearl.ch/en/38-piece-tool-bit-set-with-ratchet-pearl-edition-nx5345.html
that place also has a bunch of watchmaker (uhrmacher) tools...go thru their catalog.
https://www.pearl.ch/en/62-pcs-professional-screwdriver-bit-set-for-electronics-amp-precision-mechanics-nx6891.html
another massive set...not too expensive. ships from Switzerland (or I'll mail it to you.) this seems to have every size under the sun.
Posted on: 10/30/22 6:32 AM ET
Thank you everyone, I appreciate your replies. Beauturbo, I promise don’t force any screws, my problem lies with “screw driver whose tip fits into the top of the screw right”. None of my screwdrivers properly fit those singer screws, the ones with a slim enough blade are not wide enough to fit across the whole slot and most likely there will be a little slop in the blade thickness fit too. They are just not properly compatible. But I will certainly take your advice on board for my next stuck screw (and I’m sure there will be some…).
I have found a Chapman set in the UK so I will be purchasing that. There is much pleasure to be had in a good set of tools…
I have found a Chapman set in the UK so I will be purchasing that. There is much pleasure to be had in a good set of tools…
Posted on: 10/30/22 3:20 PM ET
In reply to FatMog
Can I also suggest getting a mini ratchet, something like this, to use in areas where you just can’t get the screwdriver in
https://www.axminstertools.com/confined-space-offset-ratchet-screwdriver-340355
I have used one of these for several years with the machines I have worked on and it is really useful.
Good luck with the new bits, you won’t regret buying them
Sarah
https://www.axminstertools.com/confined-space-offset-ratchet-screwdriver-340355
I have used one of these for several years with the machines I have worked on and it is really useful.
Good luck with the new bits, you won’t regret buying them
Sarah
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