SIMANCO Tool

[Wrenchmensch]

Here is something that came in the box with some desirable wrench at an auction.  The mark at the top tells me that it was made by Singer Sewing Machine company for their Repair Shop owners. It is made of steel and is 10 3/8" in length. There are hash markings along the split on the tapered shaft, labeled as follows:  1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4.  The split extends to the knurled handle of this tool.

I had round-filed this unwanted tool earlier this week.  It's snowing today, so I rescued the tool and sent you all photos to see if it can be identified as to function.

[Papaw]

Perhaps for fashioning a spring of the desired diameter with wire?

[Wrenchmensch]

Does anyone in this company collect SIMANCO tools?

[scottg]

Well I am scratching my head. Can;t go too hard you know, there is not enough hair to protect me up there.
But I guess maybe a spring winder?? Maybe for the front main tension control? This is pretty fine spring wire.

I kind of collect old sewing machines. Well honestly I try not to. But i have alot of trouble passing up a great one when its offered cheap.  I repair them when needed.
  I keep fixing them up and giving them away to family friends when they grow up, etc. 
I have 2 or 3 laid by for my grand daughter when she gets just a tiny bit older.
  Or just shows up for a couple weeks visit so I can get the hook set deep in her mouth!!

   But the old machines keep coming around anyway. I am down to 6 or 8 I guess. heehehehe

  I can't remember seeing any Simanco tools.  Kind of cool really.
yours Scott

   

[bgarrett]

scott, here is an interesting sewing machine
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commercial-WWII-Singer-used-Parachutes-/120804493929?pt=BI_Sewing_Machines&hash=item1c20824a69

[scottg]

That could be a real winner. The single picture is dark though.
Ebay is broken right now. So I can't read the description to find out if its walking foot.
"Pickup only" makes it impossible for me
yours Scott

[Papaw]

He says he will ship if you can help him figure out the best way. Too far for me to go pick it up for you.

[Branson]

I kind of collect old sewing machines. Well honestly I try not to. But i have alot of trouble passing up a great one when its offered cheap.  I repair them when needed.
  yours Scott

Really?  Do you know anything about Davis machines?  My wife bought one, seems to work OK.  But it's a treadle machine.  A few months later, I found a Davis treadle base at a yard sale that had a table top attached, but they hadn't removed the treadle machinery.  I'll need to make a top for the thing, maybe some drawers.  The table top is nifty -- it's a Mochi enamel table top that I plan to make appropriate legs for.  Picked it up for $30.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Found this on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-industrial-sewing-machine-tools-Mostly-Singer-/110768476964?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ca50d324

[johnsironsanctuary]

We are not the only ones who are baffled.

http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/simanco/153958/

[rusty]

Interesting. It has the same serial number, so it's not a serial number in the ordinary sense. I would guess it is an application serial number, for a patent....

[Wrenchmensch]

Rusty:

You lost me. Are you referring to the number on the strange SIMANCO tool originally posted?

[rusty]

> Are you referring to the number on the strange SIMANCO tool originally posted?

Yes, sorry for goinf back on topic - P

John's link shows a tool with the same serial number...(or is it the same tool?)

[Wrenchmensch]

Same tool.  I had previously sent a query to UK Singer hoping for an answer. Nothing came back from that source.

[scottg]

I kind of collect old sewing machines. Well honestly I try not to. But i have alot of trouble passing up a great one when its offered cheap.  I repair them when needed.
  yours Scott

Really?  Do you know anything about Davis machines?  My wife bought one, seems to work OK.  But it's a treadle machine.  A few months later, I found a Davis treadle base at a yard sale that had a table top attached, but they hadn't removed the treadle machinery.  I'll need to make a top for the thing, maybe some drawers.  The table top is nifty -- it's a Mochi enamel table top that I plan to make appropriate legs for.  Picked it up for $30.

   Davis must have been a small company. Never heard of them!
But if you need parts, these guys probably have it in the dusty corners of the old warehouse.
http://www.brewersewing.com/BQSS_Consumer/productmainstart.asp
I have done business with them on and off for 35 years now.

Treadle cabinets are hard to find.

  Well, they're easy to find, but mostly its the lowest line you come across.  2 and 4 drawer Plain Jane slab front types.
   But the great ones are out there! Carved  drawer fronts (actually pressed wood, but they are so cool) and carved sides too, fancy frames....mahogany!!
6 drawers and even better 8!!
There are semi closed fronts and art deco styles. Some fantastic treadle cabinets out there. 

I'm always looking. Hope you find one too.
   yours Scott