Featherweight Case Restore Along: Part 24, 25, 26 & 27 - The Final Steps

Part 27: 

We felt it was important to address this right at the beginning.  Vintage case clasps (and the locks they latch into) are a very scarce commodity in the Singer Featherweight world.  These particular vintage original parts only come available on our website a few times a year and they are gone within nano-seconds because of so many Featherweight owners wanting to replace the part.  Regrettably, there is currently not a suitable replica that is an exact match and obtaining a manufacturer for the original design has proven very difficult.  This is compounded due to the numerous clasp and lock styles that Singer incorporated into the design of the Featherweight 221 as well as the 222 case over the years. The only way, as it currently stands, to obtain replacement parts is to wait until a case is totally unsalvageable and then offer the hardware parts as they come available.  

With an increase in restoring original Featherweight cases, however (whether it be to an original style appearance with tolex or completely personalized with fabric such as the demonstration in this tutorial) demand for the part will increase while supply for vintage original case clasp and latch parts will decrease.  A double-edged sword to be sure, but we wanted to address this question and answer so there would be no surprises as you proceed:

Q:  "Where can I get a clasp or latch for my case?"

A:  We carry the clasp part here, and the case latch/lock here, but they will show as out of stock until we have a fair number to make available for sale - about two or three times a year.  You can sign up for the in-stock notification and you will be notified via email as soon as one is available.  That said, do not delay when that notification email arrives because they are gone before you can even say "Singer Featherweight!".  Otherwise, periodically check eBay or Etsy and be on the lookout for a totally unsalvageable case.