Monday, May 3, 2010

Trinity's Touch-Tronic


photo from Singer

Paul and I went to a garage sale on Saturday. I met a man who has been an industrial sewing machine dealer for decades. He happened to be selling this Singer Touch-Tronic 2001 sewing machine. I happened to have just enough cash on me (if you don't count the $3 I had to take from Paul). I happen to be in the market for a sewing machine as my cheapy new one from Target hasn't been working and I have been using my mom's machine in the meantime. So, I bought it!

I took it home, looked it up on the internet and found that it was made in 1978. That just happens to be the same year I was born! And, it is "the world's first computer-controlled machine", so says the Singer website. That's pretty cool.

The man at the sale took me into his basement and showed me his arsenal of industrial machines. I had no idea there were so many machines for sewing so many different kinds of materials and stitches. It was a neat little glimpse.

I am hoping this was a match that was meant to be. I've had quite the string of sewing machine duds and I would really love it if this one lasts me for a long, long time.



Also, the internet is an awesome thing. I was able to locate a scan of the original instructions during a search for an explanation about a mysteriously blinking red light. Turns out the red light is telling me that my bobbin is low on thread. Thanks for having my back, Touch-Tronic.

14 comments:

  1. Oh! How exciting and awesome! I found the internet very helpful when I took over my Mom's old machine which had no instructions, I also got a cheap general machine manual zine on etsy. Gotta love zines.

    Happy sewing!

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  2. Congrats and let the sewing adventures begin!!!

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  3. I learned how to sew on that machine... I was 8 yrs old and had watched in awe for 2 years as my mom created the most beautiful garments with it. She ran the local fabric and machine shop and was an amazing seamstress , so when this machine came out she was the first one in the area to have it. If I could get my hands on it today, it would still be my machine of choice! I hope you enjoy it.

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  4. It is now 2014 and i am still using the original Singer 2010 touch tronic machine that I bought back in the 70's. It is still the BEST machine I have ever used and hope to use it always.

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    1. I am using my original 2010 Touch Tronic that I bought back when it first came out. It still works beautifully, but I recently bought another just like it on Ebay ......mainly for parts if I need them. I simply adore sewing on this machine.....it makes sewing a joy!!

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  5. I noticed that the upper-left section of the control panel is out. this is the section for you to contrlo the length of the stich. Is yours working properly? Or is there a 'trick' to have this section light up??? any help would be appreciated! THANKS!

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    1. Hi there! Yes, the panel works on mine. It only lights up when you touch the dotted area on the center line to activate that area. Hope that helps!

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    2. ...and it resets to programmed length & width when you change the stitch - very comfortable. The English manual is still around in the net.

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  6. The lights come on when you touch the little button with the numbers......touch on the bottom of the dial.

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  7. I have a Touch Tronic 2001, purchased at an auction. After cleaning I have it sewing, even have tried the chain stitch attachment with great success. I can not for the life of me get the bobbin to wind. Have followed instruction and watched video, but the thread will only bunch up under the bobbin when I attempt to wind. Any ideas what could be wrong? Have ordered new bobbins. I only have the one that came with machine.

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    1. Hi Jean!
      Congratulations! This continues to be a great machine for me 5 years after I bought it.

      I wonder if the issue you are having is due to the stitch settings you are using when you wind the bobbin. I follow these instructions and it works well:
      http://www.sewusa.com/Threading_Diagrams/Threading_Pages/Singer_Sewing_Machine_Threading/singer_2001_touch_tronic_threading_diagram.htm

      Let me know if this solves it for you.

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    2. Trinity, Thanks for getting back so soon. Yes, I have followed this diagram. I saw on one of the sites that another woman was having the exact same problem, but there was no reply as to the solution. Because I only have this one bobbin, I am not sure it is the proper one. The bobbin lever when moved to the right lifts a small center metal bar in the empty bobbin case. I am not sure that this is locking in the x slit under the plastic bobbin. The machine had been stored in an outside building and I have no way of knowing how long. After a cleaning by myself it sews and the electronics work, though I have had it act up a bit, but after a rest everything will respond. I do feel it is user error but I can not figure it out. I have been using various antique machines and have been sewing for many years and have a 730 Bernina. I am stumped, but am waiting for the new bobbins and hope to will rule that part out.

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    3. Jean, Did you get the machine winding properly?

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  8. Hi Ladies - I have the same machine and have been using it for 25 years! I love it. I have the same issues with the bobbin, sometimes I still take the instructions out. I've found it hit or miss and I just keep trying and eventually I get it. I think it's just fickle. Same thing with replacing the bobbin with a full bobbin - I have to try at least a few times before it's correct. Just be patient and keep trying!

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