Brother KH 800: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:54, 7 February 2026

Brother KH-800
Manufacturer	Brother
Model	KH-800
Gauge	Standard
Type	Domestic
Patterning	12 stitch punch card
Needles	200
Release Year	1971
Accessories	Lace Carriage, Extension Rails, Table Clamps, 12-Stitch Punch Cards
Also Known As	Jones KH-800

The Brother KH-800 is a standard gauge (4.5mm) punchcard knitting machine. Released in the early 1970s, it is a significant transitional model as it features a 12-stitch patterning repeat utilizing a specialized punch card system. It served as the predecessor to the more common 24-stitch repeat systems found in later models like the KH-820 and KH-881.

Key Features

12-Stitch Punch Card System: Unlike the later 24-stitch standard, the KH-800 uses cards with a 12-stitch width. This allows for automatic patterning for tuck, slip, and fair isle, though with a smaller repeat size than modern vintage standards.
Metal Bed Construction: Known for high durability and a rigid metal bed housing 200 needles at a 4.5mm pitch.
Manual Needle Selection: While it features a punch card for automatic patterning, it also supports manual selection for specialized stitch work.
Lace Capability: Compatible with a dedicated lace carriage that utilizes the 12-stitch card system for transfer patterns.

Technical Specifications

Gauge: 4.5mm (Standard)
Patterning Width: 12 stitches
Needle Count: 200
Pitch: 4.5mm

Maintenance

The KH-800 uses a standard foam-based Sponge Bar (needle retaining bar). Because of the machine's age, this foam is almost certainly degraded in "as-found" units and must be replaced to prevent needle damage or carriage jams.

References

^[1]

↑ "Brother KH-800 User Guide and Service Manual," Machine Knitting etc. accessed Feb 2026

[KH800Manual-1] "Brother KH-800 User Guide and Service Manual," Machine Knitting etc. accessed Feb 2026

[1]

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |Gauge=Standard
 |Type=Domestic
-|Patterning=Push button
+|Patterning=12 stitch punch card
 |Needles=200
 |ReleaseYear=1971
-|Accessories=Lace Carriage, Extension Rails, Table Clamps
+|Accessories=Lace Carriage, Extension Rails, Table Clamps, 12-Stitch Punch Cards
 |Aliases=Jones KH-800
 }}
-The '''Brother KH-800''' is a standard gauge (4.5mm) manual knitting machine. Released in the early 1970s, it is historically significant for introducing the 8-button patterning mechanism that preceded the modern punchcard system.<ref name="BrotherHistory">"History of Brother Knitting Machines," Brother Industries Archive. [https://www.brother.com/en/corporate/history/ accessed Feb 2026]</ref>
+The '''Brother KH-800''' is a standard gauge (4.5mm) punchcard knitting machine. Released in the early 1970s, it is a significant transitional model as it features a '''12-stitch patterning repeat''' utilizing a specialized punch card system. It served as the predecessor to the more common 24-stitch repeat systems found in later models like the KH-820 and KH-881.
-== Historical Context ==
-Before the advent of the 24-stitch punchcard, Brother utilized a system of 8 buttons to select needles for patterning. The KH-800 allowed for Fair Isle and Tuck stitches by manually depressing combinations of these buttons in sequence with the row counter.<ref>Newton, Eileen. ''The Machine Knitting Book'', 1974.</ref>
 == Key Features ==
-* '''8-Button Selection:''' Patterns are limited to 8-stitch repeats. This system requires the knitter to manually change button settings every row or every few rows to create complex motifs.
+* '''12-Stitch Punch Card System:''' Unlike the later 24-stitch standard, the KH-800 uses cards with a 12-stitch width. This allows for automatic patterning for tuck, slip, and fair isle, though with a smaller repeat size than modern vintage standards.
-* '''Metal Bed Construction:''' Known for extreme durability, though it lacks the "sinker posts" found on later machines like the KH-881, requiring the use of weights for almost all knitting.<ref name="Service800">"Brother KH-800 Service Manual," Machine Knitting etc. [https://machineknittingetc.com/brother-kh800-user-guide-and-service-manual.html accessed Feb 2026]</ref>
+* '''Metal Bed Construction:''' Known for high durability and a rigid metal bed housing 200 needles at a 4.5mm pitch.
-* '''Lace Carriage:''' It was one of the first models to support a semi-automatic lace carriage, though it requires multiple passes compared to the "Fashion Lace" carriages of the 80s.
+* '''Manual Needle Selection:''' While it features a punch card for automatic patterning, it also supports manual selection for specialized stitch work.
+* '''Lace Capability:''' Compatible with a dedicated lace carriage that utilizes the 12-stitch card system for transfer patterns.
 == Technical Specifications ==
 * '''Gauge:''' 4.5mm (Standard)
-* '''Patterning Repeat:''' 8 stitches
+* '''Patterning Width:''' 12 stitches
 * '''Needle Count:''' 200
+* '''Pitch:''' 4.5mm
-== Known Issues ==
+== Maintenance ==
-* '''Button Sticking:''' The grease inside the button mechanism often solidifies over decades (common "gumming"). This typically requires a deep clean with isopropyl alcohol or a heat gun to loosen.<ref>The Answer Lady, "Deep Cleaning Vintage Brother Buttons," YouTube, 2018.</ref>
+The KH-800 uses a standard foam-based '''Sponge Bar''' (needle retaining bar). Because of the machine's age, this foam is almost certainly degraded in "as-found" units and must be replaced to prevent needle damage or carriage jams.
-* '''Sponge Bar:''' Like later models, it uses a foam-based needle retaining bar that must be replaced to prevent carriage jams.
 == References ==
 <references />
+<ref name="KH800Manual">"Brother KH-800 User Guide and Service Manual," Machine Knitting etc. [https://machineknittingetc.com/brother-kh800-user-guide-and-service-manual.html accessed Feb 2026]</ref>
 [[Category:Brother Knitting Machines]]
-[[Category:Push Button Knitting Machines]]
+[[Category:12-Stitch Punchcard Machines]]