Elna Lotus SP 1972 latest arrival: )

 

Found this on Ebay looking immaculate & I was the only bidder: ) It was described as needing the hook drive gear replacing... No problem for me because I've done two before. See In Stitches on Youtube for the process. (If you can get past the ads...) On arrival yesterday it really is in lovely cosmetic order & has most of its tools in the lidded storage area. Just a seam ripper & oil tube missing. Even came in its original Elna retail box!

The feed cover plate is normally missing with these machines, in my experience.

This is a 1972 model & it has a non numbered Upper Tension control & a chromed handwheel. (Later machines have a numbered UT controller & a painted handwheel) The seller told me it was a one owner machine & it was stored for a long while after the Hook Pinion gear failed. It has clearly had very little use, & is very clean inside: ) No fluff visible at all. Only what you can see below: )


These are fine machines when in good order, & have their own unique, quiet sound which exudes quality. Never mind a few plastic parts, which being 40 years old, it's not surprising the hook pinions go. The modern replacements are easy to locate & fit: ) I've always had an aversion to plastic in modern machines (being a Slant-O-Matic fan: ) but the Lotus machines are an exception IMO. A 1960s Icon, a bit like Moulton small wheeler bicycles of the time.

Looking forward to getting the new Hook Pinion Gear & fitting it to see how it performs. Check Ebay for the pinions c£20. Chinese versions are available cheaper, but I haven't tried them.

28/05/2023 Sunday.

Got it stitching fairly well today.


Had some unexpected problems with the new pinion gear... The grub screws were not 2mm like the original ones! The 2mm was too small & a 2.5mm was too big! Looks like it is Imperial/SAE or maybe AF. I only have metrics unfortunately, but I managed to gently file down the 2.5mm enough to get it to work...  Be wary of this if you buy one. Apparently some are made in Taiwan, but I do know some retailers still have the 2mm types. It's worth asking because you may need to buy another set of non-metric Allen Keys!! Doubling the price of your new pinion with a decent set.

Anyway it stitches well & just needs a good oiling, cleaning & using it will improve it in time. It hasn't been used for many years & the innards were very clean, but dry. The motor & its bevel drive are as new. Upper tension has been been cleaned & it also needs the foot controller checking because the speed is not consistent. Likely dirty/corroded contacts & usually easy to fix. (Controller is now smooth & progressive)

I'm very pleased with it now & it'll last many years with a little care: )

30/5/2023

Taken a couple of pics of the finished working item. It's in lovely cosmetic order & stitches better every time its used: ) 





Location: Gloucester, UK

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