DIY crafts from a sewing machine

Vyacheslav Panov January 2, 2019
HandicraftsHomemade products for childrentools

We independently convert an old sewing machine into a jigsaw.
There are many videos on the Internet about using old sewing machines in a new way. To do this, we leave in the body only the crank, the vertical rod for attaching the needle, and the flywheel with a groove for the belt drive. An electric drive for manual sewing machines is used to rotate the flywheel. (A lyrical digression off topic: I purchased the drive about 30 years ago to make an electric spinning wheel according to the drawings from the magazine “Young Technician”. Wool from a white sheep was spun on the spinning wheel and a winter sweater was knitted. The spinning wheel itself was happily played by someone I knew, i.e. e. disappeared). The foot pedal for speed control and the electric motor are pictured below.

A review of net rollers recommends the use of leaf springs with the force application point in the center of the long spring, or a block of coil springs with precise fixation of the bottom edge of the file. A long leaf spring significantly increases the overall dimensions of the device. The coil spring unit is difficult to make at home. The chosen scheme is a short spring fixed at one end.

A piece of an old metal meter was perfect for this. The spring stiffness can be adjusted by setting the number (stack) of springs and moving the clamp along the spring. The use of a short spring complicates the attachment of the file, because the free end of the spring describes a curved line, and accordingly the lower end of the file will also not move strictly vertically.

The existing round hole in the spring is bored out with a file to make a rectangular hole according to the size of the file mounting unit. The result was a unit swinging along the long axis of the spring. Fixing the unit from below with a piece of rod. Fastening the file with a screw. When changing the file, the unit does not fall out because The saw blade clamp screw does not allow it from above and the axis of rotation from below does not allow it to move at a small angle.

Making the attachment point for the upper end of the file is not difficult and is clear from the photo.

The next feature of using sewing machines for making jigsaws is the small stroke of the working rod - approximately 25 mm. For reference: the working part of purchased files is approximately 85 mm with a total length of files of 120 mm. This shortcoming can be eliminated. To do this, the body of the machine is installed through a gasket (I have a thickness of 45 mm - three plates of furniture chipboard) Under the working rod there are three gaskets of 15 mm each. As the working part of the file wears out, one gasket is removed, and so on.

When using homemade files (notching saw teeth on piano wire with a diameter of 1 mm over a length of about 30 mm), it is not necessary to remove the gaskets. Since the machine is quite old and worn out, i.e. It rumbles and to eliminate noise, rubber shock absorbers are attached to the base posts. The first work was made of good quality 3mm plywood.

The works are small in size. Machine length 22 cm. Puzzles approximately 8 cm.

Author of the article “Do-it-yourself jigsaw from a sewing machine” Vyacheslav Panov

Source: samodelka.info

DIY stationary jigsaw from a sewing machine

One of the most convenient stationary machines for figure cutting, it has a very simple design. Craftsmen make such devices from a wide variety of materials and tools. One of the most suitable bases for making a tabletop jigsaw machine is a regular sewing machine. At the same time, the device does not have to be new or have an electric motor. We will tell you in more detail about the principle of operation and the manufacture of a stationary jigsaw later in the article.

The working principle of a jigsaw machine

Before you start studying the manual for assembling your own stationary cutting machine, you should delve into its structure and a little about the history of its origin.

The first electric jigsaw machine was born in 1946, when engineer Albert Kaufmann had the idea to replace the sewing machine needle with a thin file. For its time, the invention was very original and received well-deserved public attention. She was engaged in the production and sale of jigsaw machines until she was purchased in 1954. Today, the patents for the invention have long expired and a wide variety of companies have begun to manufacture jigsaws.

Modern stationary jigsaws are functional devices assembled from precise and reliable parts. At first glance, the models on sale may seem incredibly complicated to manufacture, but they are based on the same old principle of operation, albeit with a more optimized mechanism. By assembling a jigsaw from a sewing machine, we are essentially returning to the origins of this invention, partially complementing it with modern technologies.

The design itself, which tensions and drives the saw blade, is quite simple and consists of a special frame and a crank mechanism. The movable frame consists of upper and lower arms of equal length, attached to the rack. A file is installed on the front side of the frame, and on the opposite side there is a spring that performs tension. The crank mechanism connected to the motor causes the saw to move up and down. A more visual and detailed embodiment of the above process can be seen in the following drawing.

How does an electric jigsaw work?

Although the device of a jigsaw is not particularly complicated, its mechanism has certain features that require familiarization. To understand how to make a jigsaw, you first need to understand what causes the saw blade to make reciprocating movements. For the clearest understanding of the principle of operation of the device, we will present the main components that make up the mechanism of the instrument and describe their interaction with each other.

The basis of any electric jigsaw is the following components: an electric motor, a gearbox and a rod with a saw blade clamp. Secondary, but no less important elements include the start button, support roller, cooling fan and sole. As additional functionality, many models have a pendulum stroke, a dust collector, lighting and a laser guide. We will not touch upon the operating principle of the latter, and will move on to a description of the interaction of the main elements of the mechanism. The high-frequency movements of the jigsaw saw blade originate from an electric motor, started by pressing a button or directly from the network. Rotation is transmitted along the shaft to a special “gearbox” mechanism with an eccentric, which interacts with the rod, forming a reciprocating movement. The mount installed at the end of the rod holds the saw that makes the cut. To minimize the load on the rod with the gearbox, the rear edge of the saw blade rests against the support roller. In this way, all components of the device are involved to perform the main task of sawing all kinds of materials.

Jigsaw from a sewing machine

The beauty of making a stationary jigsaw from a sewing machine is to minimize precision work. A reliable crank assembly is already connected to a needle mount, which can be easily converted into a file. In fact, in order to requalify the device, it is necessary to install a tension mechanism on the opposite side of the saw blade being installed. We will tell and show you in detail about how to make a jigsaw from a sewing machine.

The above components are not intended to be completely accurate and are provided as a guide only. The dimensions of the required parts should be selected based on your capabilities, based on the examples in the video below.

By instruments:

Drill (with a set of metal drills)
Grinder (with metal disc)
Pliers
Screwdriver

At the first stage of assembly, it is recommended to remove all unnecessary elements from the sewing machine, leaving only the crank mechanism and the needle holder connected to it. To set the tension of the file, it is necessary to remove the shuttle device located under the needle. If a motor is built into the housing, it should be left in case it will be used as the main drive. If the power of the standard one is not enough for you, you can remove it and connect a third-party electric drive.

If you use thin files for sawing, up to #2, a standard hole in the top mount will be enough. For wider canvases, it will be necessary to drill a hole of a larger diameter.

The lower mount can be made from a regular bolt. To do this, you will need a drill, a 3-4 mm metal drill, and a tap for cutting threads for this diameter. The resulting design should look like this:

There are 2 types of installation of a sewing machine: above the table and under the table. In the version we are considering, the apparatus is located on top, when the tension mechanism comes from below. The author of the product abandoned the spring tension method in favor of a metal plate cut from a hacksaw blade. A hole drilled in the center of the plate serves as the attachment point for the saw blade. The strip of steel itself is installed in improvised grooves made from corners.

At this stage, the assembly of a homemade jigsaw from a sewing machine is considered complete. The device is capable of easily cutting wooden workpieces up to 20 mm thick. With a more advanced tension system, a good spring, and the presence of a powerful motor, it can easily take higher values. The detailed assembly process, with comments from the author, is presented in the video below.

Step-by-step production of the machine

The master class on creating a jigsaw machine consists of several stages, each of which we will go into detail.

First of all, you need to prepare everything you need for work.

Materials:

plywood 10-14 mm;
spring;
2 bearings.

Tools:

circular;
grinding machine;
drill with a set of drills;
jigsaw with files;
vacuum cleaner.

Preparation

This stage consists of the following steps:

We make templates. For these purposes, you only need a pencil, ruler and paper.
Cut out the template using a knife.
Glue the template to the workpiece.

When gluing the template, too much glue is not required, since removing the paper will be difficult.

Manufacturing of blanks

Stationary jigsaw machine blanks are made as follows:

We cut out the blanks using a circular saw or other suitable tool.
We process parts on a grinding machine to remove chips and burrs.
We drill a technological hole.
To cut the grooves we use a file.
To make holes for the bearings, we use a pin drill of the appropriate diameter.
We make the slots for installing the jigsaw and the quick-release cover using a router.

Assembly

The assembly process of the machine is as follows:

We fix the parts with glue, using clamps for temporary fastening.
For further fixation, we use self-tapping screws, which we tighten with a screwdriver.
When the parts are assembled, we perform grinding to remove irregularities.
We coat the parts with varnish. It is best to use nitro varnish.
We assemble the main part of the tabletop machine with screws.
We fix the base of the device.
Fix the top part.
Use a hammer to drive the bearings into the prepared holes.
We mount the bracket. For fastening, you can use a stud or bolt according to the inner diameter of the bearing. When tightening the nut, do not use excessive force as there should be some free play.
Install the spring according to the photo below.
To fix the file, we make a clamp, which is a plate with two holes. We install the plate on the bracket and secure it with a nut.
When assembling the machine, the top part should look like in the photo.
For ease of control of the jigsaw, we make technological holes on the body of the device being manufactured. You will also need holes for an outlet and a switch.
After the necessary cuts are made, we gain access to the jigsaw controls.
We make clamps for saw blades. To do this, we make a slot in the bolt head, but not all the way. During operation of the machine, a file will be placed in the slot.
We mount and assemble the upper part at the place where the file is attached.
In terms of design, the lower unit practically repeats the design on top. The only difference is that instead of a plate, an old file is used, in which the saw part is cut off almost completely with a grinder. In the remaining part we make a hole with a bolt and a slot similar to the upper unit.
We install the jigsaw. To fix it, use countersunk screws.
We fix the file in the upper and lower parts of the machine.
To adjust the perpendicularity of the file, you will need a square or a block with an angle of 90°. The essence of the adjustment is to move the plate in the upper part to the left or right.
The saw blade is adjusted forward/backward by moving the saw blade attachment unit.
We make a plate from durable plastic that is installed at the bottom of the file. We cut a hole in the plate, and in the machine itself, using a router, we make a seat for the plate so that it is flush with the surface of the tabletop.

Remaking the place where the needle is attached to the file

Not everyone and not always has the need to carry out only figured cuts. Much more often, a jigsaw is used to produce controlled cuts in straight and round shapes. In such cases, a thin file will be too slow, but a standard jigsaw blade will cope with the task quite quickly. And everything would be fine, but such a saw will not fit into a standard needle holder. This means that you need to reactivate the logical hemisphere and “pump up” your homemade jigsaw from a sewing machine. By the way, this is quite simple to do.

As an example, let's take a product from the following author, although this problem was also solved at the end of the previous manual. The answer lies in the stitching of the seat to tighten the needle. For this purpose, a grinder with a metal disc is used. The shank of the file itself also needs to be sharpened so that it fits into the hole in the fastener element with the bolt. Detailed examples are shown in the photo above, below, and also in the video.

Tabletop

I made a new tabletop from the boards. For this I needed three small pieces from old boards. They had to be carefully adjusted to each other. After that, they still needed to be thoroughly leveled and sanded. The latter must be done, otherwise you can attach a splinter while the paint is being applied.

All that remains is to give the boards some color and make them more interesting. I wanted it to be black, but I didn't want to paint it. So I simply coated the boards with two coats of dark stain. I left it to dry and started further work.

It should be noted that the boards must be painted not only on the outside, but also on the reverse side, otherwise stripes of unpainted wood will be visible, and this is very ugly. In order not to make a mistake with the shade, you can dilute a little stain and apply it to a small piece of the countertop. And only then paint it all completely.

Original homemade products from a sewing machine

1. What can you make from an old sewing machine?
2. DIY jigsaw from a sewing machine

Many people still have old sewing machines left over from their grandmothers sitting idle in their homes to this day. Of course, it would be a pity to throw away such an antique, but there is nowhere to use it. Today, when progress has stepped far forward, the old Zingers are gathering dust idle, no matter what they have to do with modern sewing machines.

However, do not despair, because even from an old sewing machine you can make original homemade products and crafts for the home that will last for many more decades. On the Internet you can find many ideas for using sewing machines with a working upper mechanism, and even without it.

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Tables made from an old sewing machine

Do you know how many stunning vintage furniture designs you can make from the base of an antique sewing machine? We answer: a lot! But we chose the most interesting of them, since a table is an item that is needed in any home. On the other hand, a table made from an old sewing machine is the simplest vintage furniture that you can make with your own hands.

So, we will need a very old sewing machine with a pedal: Singer, Pfaff, Husqvarna and even Soviet era models. What unites them is the main thing that we need - a luxurious cast-iron base (legs), genuine vintage. The condition doesn’t matter, even rusty ones will do (if that’s what it is, buy metal paint “directly for rust” and make the base look neat).

Everything else is extremely simple. Remove the wooden part or just the machine, and attach what will become the tabletop on top. And they can be different - depending on your preferences for materials and the size of the table.

Here's what an antique sewing machine might look like. Do you have one? Maybe one of your friends or relatives? When you see what wonderful vintage tables you can make from it, go searching immediately. And when you become its happy owner, don’t limit yourself to a factory countertop - make your own, original one.

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console tables from an old sewing machine:

You can make an original console table from the base of a sewing machine. Since this is the easiest thing, this is the table we start with. As you know, a console table is a very compact version of a table that will fit in almost any corner, which will be transformed thanks to such elegant vintage furniture. And on top you can place the necessary little things or simply something pleasing to the eye.

Place a sheet of glass on top for a great addition to a classic living room. A tabletop made of raw wood or planks will help create a rustic table in a country style. Paint the legs white and you'll have a charming vintage console. A black table with forged legs will complete the interior in the Moroccan style.

However, it does not have to be placed in the living room. Complement the unusual base with wooden sides or glass in a shabby frame - get a cute table for flowers, appropriate both in the greenhouse and in the hallway. In addition, from the base of a sewing machine you can make a luxurious display case for your collection (the simplest option is to strengthen it on top... an aquarium turned upside down).

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garden tables from an old sewing machine:

A table made from a sewing machine can also be placed on the veranda as a flower stand. Use your imagination and paint the countertop an unexpected color.

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home office desk made from sewing machine base:

How about an unusual desk made from a sewing machine? If you prefer simplicity, you can get by with a simple board as a tabletop. It, like the legs, can be painted in your favorite color. But if your soul requires sophistication, attach the top from an antique bureau to the forged base. You will have a thing worthy of the title of a family heirloom.

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serving tables and kitchen islands from the base of a sewing machine:

Your home undoubtedly deserves the best and most exclusive furniture. Including in the kitchen or dining room. How about a serving table made from that same old sewing machine? Make wooden sides or place a spacious wooden tray on top, attach wheels - and enjoy your new convenient kitchen gadget. However, such a table does not have to be mobile - it will be useful as a kitchen island, for storing dishes, and as a minibar in the dining room.

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dining tables made from old sewing machines:

The sturdy cast iron sewing machine base makes a great base for your dining table. It is stable and effective. The compact tabletop is slightly larger than the one on the machine - an ideal table for two in a small kitchen. A dark wood top will make this table look classic. If you plan to combine it with modern furniture, paint the tabletop white or black. However, the tabletop does not have to be wooden - it can be made of glass or, which is especially luxurious, of marble.

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tables from an old sewing machine and old doors:

Have you inherited not only an antique car, but also an equally old, good-quality, but outdated door? So create an unforgettable duet out of them! The door leaf can be cut if you need a small table, or you can use it entirely (for this you will need additional legs). The pedal at the base of the machine can also be replaced with a long metal rod, which will allow you to make the table as long as you need.

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designer table decor made from a sewing machine: And if you want to get an exclusive designer item, contact the craftsmen. They will do decoupage or high-quality painting, or gild the legs of the machine. By the way, craftsmen do not need to have experience in creating such a table; the desire and ability to use vintage techniques is enough.

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https://www.design-remont.info/2014/08/02/tables-ideas-of-repurpose-old-treadle-sewing-machine/

DIY jigsaw from a sewing machine

If you have an old sewing machine on hand in fully working order, then it can easily be used to make a homemade jigsaw, and even a small sharpener. The essence of converting a sewing machine into a jigsaw is to install a fabric holder instead of a needle.

In this case, the design of the sewing machine itself is of no small importance. So, if an old sewing machine with a foot mechanism is being converted into a jigsaw, then there is no need to install a small 40 W motor. Otherwise, you will have to install an electric motor on the sewing machine, since the quality of cutting workpieces largely depends on the required force and uniformity of saw movement.

In this case, the motor is installed on the tabletop, near the stand of the sewing machine, as close as possible to the flywheel. Since a belt will be used to transmit torque, a pulley should be installed on the electric motor shaft, after which it will need to be connected via a belt to the pulley of the sewing machine. Thus, you can convert a manual sewing machine to operate from an electric motor.

Now you will have to tinker a little with installing the adapter for installing the jigsaw file. As a rule, the socket into which the sewing machine needle is fixed is too small to install a jigsaw blade, so it will have to be drilled out a little and deepened at the same time. In general, a lot here depends on a particular device of the sewing machine.

If using the method described above to install a jigsaw saw on a sewing machine does not work, then there is another suitable option. For these purposes, you need to use a nut with a hole in the end into which the bolt can be screwed.

It is the bolt that will hold the blade of the electric jigsaw. To drill a hole in the end of the bolt, you will have to use a drill of a suitable diameter, and to cut threads, a tool such as a tap.

Source: zen.yandex.ru

Metal cutting machine

If the machine has a working mechanism, it can serve as the basis for the machine. If it has a manual drive, then it is better to use an electric motor; if it has a foot drive, it will not be needed. Next, you need to remove the mechanisms of the sewing machine, assemble the cutting unit, install a device for securing parts and supply electricity to the machine.

Attention! Before the first start-up, check all installation details and follow safety precautions.

For a kitchen or summer veranda, a stylish piece of furniture made from the base of an old typewriter and a tabletop made of wood or glass is suitable. You can use not one, but two frames, then the table will be larger and more stable, which are better placed closer to the edges.

A cast iron bed from a sewing machine can be used as a base for a barbecue. On top you need to make a brazier from a metal sheet, which will be placed on the structure of the sewing machine. Thus, you get a good grill that will decorate any garden or summer cottage and will last for many years.

Important! To prevent the metal from corroding, it is recommended to coat it with paint that is resistant to heat from fire.

Homemade jigsaw from a sewing machine

The idea of making a jigsaw came to me many years ago, but I brought it to life much later - when someone came into my hands with a discarded faulty sewing machine made in Podolsk, I took only the main shaft and the “needle bar” assembly, and dismantled the rest of the parts. Cut it off and the front part of the platform, leaving only the thrust bearing under the pillar of the L-shaped body. I sanded down all the ridges on the bottom surface. I drilled holes in the corners of the thrust bearing and through them I attached the inverted machine to the table top of the cabinet from below. By the way, I also used a cabinet from an old foot-operated sewing machine. True, finding such a cabinet is perhaps more difficult than the machine itself. But it is not difficult to make it from a 20 mm thick chipboard. On top of the lid I covered it with a steel sheet 1.5 mm thick (can also be made of duralumin).

A pulley with a diameter of 80 mm for a V-belt drive was installed on the protruding end of the main shaft (you can take it from an old foot sewing machine, you just need to bore it for a V-belt). A similar pulley, but with a larger diameter (100 mm), was installed on the electric motor shaft. The electric motor is single-phase (220 B) with a power of 180 W and a speed of 1350 per minute, together with a pulley, used from an old washing machine.

Remaking the machine

So, the item was very old and shabby. Even some parts from the machine were missing, so it didn’t work exactly! It’s even a pity that such a thing was ruined and wanted to be thrown into a landfill.

I started by removing all the wood pieces completely. This was easy to do, just unscrew the bolts that secure the wooden frame to the metal. It was easy to make your work easier: just turn the machine upside down, then all the parts will become accessible and can be easily unscrewed.

The pedal must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust that has accumulated there over the years. Any degreaser or Azelite product is perfect for this. It is sprayed and left for a while to soak the dirt. It is ideal to do this twice, then the surface will definitely be clean. For cleaning, use a stiff brush or cloth.

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After cleaning, it became clear that there was more to it than just dust. The metal parts are completely covered with rust. So I had to pick up a wire brush and scrub it off. For greater effect, I used Vaseline; it helps soften the rust and make it more pliable for cleaning. Then all parts must be degreased, otherwise the paint will not lie smoothly.

I put the machine itself away. Some parts from it may be useful to me in future works, because I love repurposing antique items into more original decorative items.