Defiance Hand Crank Sewing Machine, manufactured by New Home in Orange, Mass. USA
I purchased it on Ebay.co.uk and received it September 2018, in time to celebrate National Sewing Machine month. This machine came from Leicester, England.
distributed by W.J. Harris, London. Defiance Serial Number 2621960, Style A made in 1906
Threading the front end--see photo below. I don't have a manual for my 1906 Defiance. Please let me know if you need additional info how to thread your Pan American (that is similar to my Defiance hand crank machine).
On top--is the leaf tension spring (regulates upper thread tension). The thread travels from the spool through the groove in the leaf tension spring. Tightening the thumb screw puts pressure on the thread restricting or loosening the upper thread tension.
3/4 Size Machine - bed is 6.75" by 11.5"
When I buy a sewing machine from England through Ebay.co.uk, directly after winning the bid I send message to the seller how I want to have it packaged to ensure it ships without damage.
Most sellers appreciate having the packaging protocol information. I try, try, try, to put forth this information without hurting the feelings of the seller. In the end I promise to submit a very nice written review, noting how well they packaged the machine to its safe voyage.
- Put machine and its wood base inside a large plastic bag and securely wrap with packing tape.
- Install hood onto the machine, then wrap the entire unit in bubble wrap and secure with tape.
- Place machine into a sturdy box lined with Styrofoam peanuts or panels (bottom, sides, top of the box), restricting movement of the machine entirely.
- Place first box into a second box and snug with twisted newspaper packing. Secure box with packing tape.
As you can see--my Defiance machine was packed extremely well by the seller. Bravo. I submitted a quality plus review of this seller.
During the auction bidding process on Ebay, I contact the seller with questions about dimensions, especially about the harp space and I am learning lots of new things about these old hand crank machines. Definitely I want to know if the machine has its bobbin case or shuttle inside the machine if it is not shown in the seller's auction photos.
There will always be sellers who don't have a clue regarding my questions, or where to look for dimensions, parts, or bits I want to know more about. Each time I message back and forth with the seller, I thank them for their patience answering my questions.
Cleaning and oiling takes me several days to complete.
Removing the front end plate is one of the first places I look to clean and oil moving parts.
Hello Linda, What a lesson here in packing delicate items to ship, and in dealing diplomatically with sellers. And of course it pays off.
ReplyDeleteThe Defiance, with its elaborate decals and British serial number plate, is another triumph for you, and another treat for us to look at.
--Jim
Jim, you write so eloquently. I admire you. Thank you for sending this splendid note. The Defiance is one of those machines you look at it once, then return to take in more.
ReplyDeleteThey are petite and effortless to use. Where as treadle machines I find are quite a leg workout. I'm still working on my treadling technique and need more practice. A hand crank is so much easier to use.
My husband Jon took one look at this machine and declared, "Defiance? Well, that has you name on it!" The hand crank sewing machines are efficient, and lovely to listen to them sew---tink, a-tink, a-tink, a-tink. Like a metronome set to music.
Hello Linda,
ReplyDeleteWe boght for our Church a W. J. Harris Defiance N3 Hand Crank Sewing Machine and, we need advise how to revise it and put in a good condition. Could you, please advise us. Is there any book in the UK about the maintenance of this machine. Thank you in advance for your kind collaboration! Kind regards, Thierry Dalex
Hello Thierry. Please write to me. I have a gmail account (see below). With your photos I will guide you through simple steps of oiling and cleaning to put your hand crank sewing machine in good condition. mrs.durrant1 Sincerely, Linda
ReplyDeleteDo you have something to show how to thread this? I am working on a Pan American that looks exactly the same with the spring in the front but I can't figure out how to thread it.
ReplyDeleteHello K. Robles. I added a photo "how to thread the front end" of my Defiance hand crank. Let me know if you have additional questions.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteI just got a Pan American yesterday. Very, very little information out there on this model. I don't know the history of my machine (i.e. Where has it traveled?). Still, very exciting. I am in Canada. Have you found any more information for your machine?
DeleteDo you have anything that shows how to thread it? I am working on a Pan American just like it with the spring in the front but we can't figure out how to thread it.
ReplyDeleteI have the same machine, given to me by a cheap at engineering night school class. Just today i got it working and it seews nicely even though i hadn't threaded it quite right in the spring area. Funnily enough, mine is a New Home made in the US but I'm based in the UK!
ReplyDeleteHello Andreaj. I would love to have a photo of your New Home hand crank machine. Will you send me a pic?
DeleteI am in the UK and have a Defiance made in Orange County Mass. I would love to find a manual, if anyone knows where to find one!
ReplyDeleteHi I am in the UK and have just purchased the exact same machine for £4 at an auction last night. The only thing that is missing is a band/belt thing that goes around a wheel part (sorry I'm not to good with describing parts on older machines) which would enable the making of a new bobbin to use. Do you know where I could buy a new one please and the size or details of what I would need. Many thanks in advance x
ReplyDeleteTry Helen Howes. She has a website full of information and is extremely knowledgeable if you contact her. Or Dave Dong on the Vintage Sewing Machines UK Facebook group
Delete