Free-Westinghouse Type E Rotary
At the time of this writing I have two of these machines manufactured by the Free Sewing Machine Company, this one is badged as “Free~Westinghouse Type E Rotary”, the other is badged as “New Home Type F Rotary“. The motors on both machines are manufactured by Westinghouse, though they are very different in appearance.
My understanding is that this machine sometimes includes a plastic gear on the vertical shaft that drives the rotary hook, I have not had a chance to confirm this, but I though that it was worth mentioning just in case.
Turtle shell motor
The Free~Westinghouse Type E Rotary above features the distinctive turtle shell style motor. This is a friction drive motor with a rubber drive wheel that spins the balance wheel in the clockwise direction. The motor can be rotated slightly so that as the rubber wheel wears it doesn’t lose contact with the balance wheel.
Badging and other decals
These machine came with great decals, and the model number was stamped just under the deck on the front rib.
Machine needle
According to the manual this machine uses a CC1221 Rotary Needle, and as shown in the image above my machine included a few Boye Sewing Machine Needles sized 2 1/2 30-80. These are a hair shorter than the common 15×1 needles used in most modern household machines. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s my understanding that you can adjust your needle bar up a little, allowing you to use a 15×1 needle in this machine (do this at your own risk).
Bobbin case and bobbin
The bobbin case for the Free~Westinghouse Type E looks like the wishbone rotary bobbin cases used in the older style White sewing machines, but these are smaller. This bobbin case and bobbin is closer to the Kenmore 120 series rotary machines manufactured by New Process. In fact I’m pretty sure, though not positive, that the Type E bobbin case and bobbin and the ones used Kenmore 120 series rotary are interchangeable.
Specifications
| Brand | Free-Westinghouse |
| Model | Type E Rotary |
| Manufactured By | Free Sewing Machine Company |
| Made In | Rockford, Illinois, U.S.A. |
| Hook Type | Rotary |
| Bobbin | #10025 Note: I’m not 100% sure on this |
| Bobbin Case | #3368 Note: I’m not 100% sure on this |
| Needle System | CC1221 Rotary Needle Boye Sewing Machine Needle 2 1/2 30-80 |
| Foot Type | Top clamp |
| Construction | Cast Magnesium |
| Construction Drivetrain | Metal, with possible plastic hook drive gear |