miriam

it isn't very hard to do - just keep track of that little screw.

iadhikari

I will! I'm going to work on it over my 6-inch magnetic dish. And I'm less apprehensive about it now that I realize the spring isn't a tiny little coil spring... That's what I was picturing in my head and now I realize it's a small piece of metal.

ArchaicArcane

There's one of those tiny coil springs in the bobbin case too, but you don't need to go that deep.

iadhikari

I did it! There wasn't much gunk under there. And the rusty spots are like pin points. I'll keep an eye on them. The case works and the stitches look nice, so, I'm happy! An original bobbin case for $30, and an extra bobbin case base just in case I ever need one. Thanks for all the help, everyone! Archaic Arcane's site is very helpful in case anyone else needs to try this.

ArchaicArcane

Yay!! Great job! And just think of how empowered you must feel now that you've done this once and know that you can do it to virtually any machine in your arsenal now.

miriam

I would want to polish off those rusty pin points. aluminum foil might do the job. You do not want anything rusty or burred thread might come in contact with

iadhikari

Hi Miriam and Archaic Arcane,
First, in response to Archaic Arcane, yes, it does make me feel so empowered to have tried it!
And Miriam, I do plan to address the rusty spots at some point. I'm going to research natural ways to remove rust. There has to be some other option besides buying a bottle of Evapo-Rust for basically five little dots of rust.
Those tiny little screws were hard to get in to the bobbin case. They didn't turn easily. I wonder if I should have rubbed a little oil in there first. What do you all think?
Ila

miriam

Natural = vinegar or some citric acid - just a pinch in enough water to cover it. Then use a piece of crumpled aluminum foil to polish it. Yes you will need to clean off the threads. Some times it is rust and some times it is dried oil. I think I would wash it in Dawn first, then soak it, then polish it with the foil. You can work over a magnet or put it all in a zip bag and work inside it - contain the stupid little screws. Yes they can be hard to start. I had to de-magnatize my little screw driver - it kept pulling the little screw off...

ArchaicArcane

Miriam, thanks! I must have read it too fast, I thought Ila'd dealt with the rust. Your idea of aluminum foil is great.

Ila, I also gave you another fairly natural way of dealing with the rust back in post 16.

Typically we don't oil the screws or holes for them because that also comes so close to the thread it can get on the thread then on your work. It can also cause "slipping" if the thread path is oiled which will look like a tension problem.

Step 5 on the post I linked to in post 16 usually takes care of the tight screws problem.

J Miller

For small pin points of rust I use the wire brush on my Dremel tool. Turning at 97,00000000000000 rpms it makes short work of removing rust.

Just remember to wear safety glasses cos when the little wires come off the wheel they can burry themselves in your skin. Don't want 'em near your eyes.


Joe