Mounting Brackets: How to Attach Sewing Machine to Table
When you need space, the old drop-in sewing tables came in handy. Not only did they protect your sewing machine when it was not in use, but it also provides extra tabletop space when needed. But times have changed and there may be a problem attaching your sewing machine to these tables.
It may be possible to attach the sewing machine to your sewing table through the screw hole in the base of the newer sewing machines. Not all new models will have this feature as manufacturers are not making sewing machines to last anymore.
To learn more about attaching your sewing machine to a table just continue to read our article. it gives you the information you need to know about so you can either do the job properly or decide not to secure it.
Attaching a Sewing Machine 101
How to Attach a Sewing Machine to a Sewing Table
The first step in this process is making a decision between attaching it to a sewing cabinet or to a sewing table. Both have their pros and cons and it will depend more on your sewing needs and the amount of space you will need.
The next step is to look at your sewing machine. if your newer machine does have holes in the bottom then it can be secured to a table. The problem you may have is if you own a computerized sewing machine.
These are not made to be secured to a table. They can be placed on what is called an airlift cabinet where you simply apply a little pressure and the platform goes down. Next, you will need to decide on the size of the table if you do not already own one.
After you have done all of that, you need to know that the standard size of machine that can go on a new sewing table is 19 3/4 inches wide by 13 1/8 inches deep by 13 1/8 inches high. The good news here is that most sewing tables will tell you which brand of sewing machine will fit in them.
The rest is easy as you need to gather your supplies, and check to make sure the holes on the sewing machine line up with the holes on the brackets. Also, normally the screws, hinges, and bolts are included with your purchase of the table.
Once you are lined up, it is merely a matter of tightening all screws and bolts securely. While you do not want to over tighten them, as you could strip the holes or the screws, etc., you want to make sure you do not leave the hardware loose.
After you have done the tightening, do your test, and see if the process was a success. if the holes do not line up, you may have to drill new holes. That takes measuring and time. The key is to make sure the sewing machine is secure and that the table operates like it should with the machine attached.
Sewing Machine Mounting Brackets
There are several things you need to consider when you are looking at attaching a sewing machine to a new or even an old sewing table, sewing cabinet, or just a regular table. One of those considerations is the brackets that hold the sewing machine in place.
Fortunately, there is no one size fits all sewing machines and sewing tables. While this would simplify your work, it is just impossible as all sewing machines are not made the same and neither are the tables, etc,
The tables will have different strengths, stress points, and construction material making it very difficult to attach some mounting brackets. There are a lot of hardware stores or outlets that sell brackets so finding them will be easy.
Your problem will be in finding the right design that fits both the machine and the table without interfering with the table’s operation. The next aspect you need to consider is if the mounting bracket is strong enough to hold the weight of the machine.
If it isn’t then you can damage not only the mounting bracket but also your table and sewing machine. The screws need to be big enough as well. Small screws are not as strong as they should be and you may need to go to a larger size if they will fit into the mounting bracket holes.
You will need to know the weight of the machine before buying your mounting brackets.
Do New Sewing Machines Fit in Old Tables?
The best answer we can give is that it is possible. Not all new machines are made to be attached to a sewing or any other type of table. They are designed to simply sit in place on a drop-down airlift platform and no screws or bolts are needed to secure the machine in place.
The machines you cannot place in an old sewing machine table are the computerized models. They are not made to hang upside down and many sewers have reported having trouble with their computerized sewing machines when they attached them to an old table.
Some sewers have said they have experienced no problems but all that says is that it will depend on the brand of computerized machine. On its website, Brother tells its model owners to contact the nearest dealer who will refer you to someone who can adapt their machines to a sewing table.
Another sewing machine that should not be attached to a sewing or other table is the portable model. If you want to attach a mechanical, non-portable sewing machine to an old sewing table, be prepared to drill new holes and re-align all holes so that the table’s operation is not hindered.
In other words, the fit will depend on the sewing machine model, its size, if it is mechanical or not and the old table you want to attach it to.
Convert a Sewing Machine Table
This can take work and a lot of skill as conversions do not always go as planned and you need to have the right knowledge and experience to compensate for anything that will go wrong.
The first step will be to remove the old hinged board leaving you with a rectangular space to fill. The second step will be to take accurate measurements. Those measurements include the front of the machine by the needle, the thickness of the cabinet top, the opening, and so on.
The third step is to make any cuts in the table to accommodate the needle placement, size of the machine, and make room for those other parts that may be too large for the original rectangle opening.
Step four has you cutting an opening for your power cord. You will need to find the best place for this that won’t ruin the strength or the integrity of the table. Then step five will have you measuring the opening and cutting the support board to fit both the sewing machine and the opening.
Measure accurately and then make your cut. Add the hardware at this step so you can attach the board to make your tests. Watch out for the leafs if your sewing table has them. You will need to make allowances for them.
There are roughly 19 steps in this conversion process and to get all the details click this link. Space is too limited here.
Convert Old Sewing Machine Cabinet
The good news here is that converting an old sewing machine cabinet to hold a newer sewing machine is basically the same process as converting the old sewing machine table. One of the things we found out about the instructions given in the last section was that the same instructions are on several different websites.
Those 19 steps may be time-consuming but if you want something done right, you need to be careful and cover all the bases. The major problem will be in making your cuts. If you are not skilled at this then you should not attempt making the cuts without a lot of practice first.
In both conversions, you really should use a professional as they have the experience to handle the task and make sure your cabinet still looks perfect while operating as you want.
These instructions were done under the impression you wanted to adapt an old table to a new sewing machine. If you want to convert either to a regular table or desk then the process is simpler.
Just remove the old hardware and support board. Then either cut a new board and attach it in the opening with strong braces or use the old board with new braces. It is not complicated to do that conversion as you do not need precision fits for the returning hardware and braces.
How to Fit a Sewing Machine Stand
This conversion project is the same as the others. You will need to take very accurate measurements as even a 1/8th of an inch off precision can cause you a lot of problems. Measuring is simple but being accurate and precise is not.
Be prepared to do a lot of drilling as you may have to make new holes for the new brackets that you will need to install. All sewing machines will not line up with the old brackets. If they do, then you are lucky.
Then you may have to re-cut support boards or even the opening if you have traded up to a better sewing machine. Your conversion will depend a lot on the size of the sewing machine stand and the size of the sewing machine.
Just be careful with computerized sewing machines as they are very precise and the wrong move can alter that precision. Many modern machines are not made to be handled by DIY enthusiasts because of the way they were built by the company.
They need special care and some of them do not have holes in their base as they were not made to be secured to a stand, table, or cabinet. They were made to be free-standing. Their weight will hold them in place and let you sew as you should.
Do You Need a Special Table for a Sewing Machine?
No, you don’t but a special table can make sewing a lot easier and it will protect your machine when it is not in use. You can convert a regular table or desk, if they are made from the right materials, to a sewing table or sewing cabinet.
This conversion will take some work as you have to center the machine, place it in the right location so it is easy to reach as well as let the material flow smoothly without getting caught on a silver or the rough parts of the table.
You do have to be careful if the table or desktop is made out of particleboard, MDF wood, and similar materials as those materials do not like a lot of holes or cuts made into them. Their best use would be to hold those sewing machines that can’t be secured to a table.
Then you may not have room for another table in your home or apartment. You can use any solid flat platform to hold your sewing machine as long as it doesn't interfere with the movement of the fabric or the operation of the machine.
Some Final Words
When it comes to conversions, mounting brackets are as important as making those precision cuts. If they can’t hold the weight of the machine or allow you to move the support platform, then you will have to do everything all over again.
Don’t settle for cheap mounting brackets as you will only be asking for trouble. Make sure to use the best materials so that your table and machine do not get harmed down the road.
