Anker RZ

This machine came to me from one of my Treadle-On Friends. It was actually her husbands machine and was used for heavier work. It always makes me smile to see it sitting on the treadle..

I got a pdf of the manual from seller sewingmachinelust on eBay and it is the source of the the manual imageson this page.

Pretty Machine manufactured in West Germany. Same foot print as domestic Singer machine.

The needleplate calls for a 16x87 needle system but had been retimed to use the very common DBx1 needle. It uses the common class 15 bobbin case and bobbins.

Nice zig zag width control, with locks available for decorative stitching. Full forward and reverse control.

The feed dogs will drop down for free motion work

The stitch controls are very adjustable and fun to use. the manual shows very intricate decorative stitches created using manual adjustment .. too exacting for me.

Zig Zag is very easy to control and allows talented operators to do fancy stitching.

So I am tweaking the zig zag control, guiding the fabric, treadling the treadle. I guess I need another hand.

THE CONTEST

This machine consistently wins the auditions for my domestic treadle position. All applicants must do zig-zag stitches and fit on a domestic treadle. No points off for adapter plates. note: I am running three industrial treadles and one domestic treadle in my sewing loft.

The applicants.

1. Anker RZ. Class 15 bobbin and case , DBx1 needle, high shank feet. Uses same needles and bobbins, and presser feet as my 31-15. Good lift height, and easy motion. Very adaptable zig-zag. Attractive Controls. Adjustable needle position and drop feed dogs rounds it out. Winner 3 times running.

2. Neechi BU. Class 15 bobbin and case. 15x1 needle system. High shank feet. Beautiful machine, nice controls. Slightly lower lift. Needles system and perhaps being too pretty bump it down a notch.

3. Singer 319w. Odd industrial bobbin and bobbin case. My bobbin case has been modified to accept 15x1 needles. Some testing show that the DBx1 needle seems to work as well (seem my 319W page for details). Uses domestic low shank feet. Fun to use, many fashion stitch disks, 3 step zig zag. Obscure controls (cool). I suppose the odd bobbin size is the main down side . Great for decorative stitches.

4. Singer 20u. An artisan class machine. very wide zig zag. Fully adjustable zig zag. DBx1 needle and high shank presser. Odd bobbin and case. Treadle performance only OK, a bit heavy footed. Big and boxy. I try and like it, but it is relegated to heavy zig zag work.

Large feed dogs aid in straight feeding. DBx1 needle shown next to the 16x87 reference imprint. DBx1 works great (machine was retimed by others).