jpwest

I got a Vigorelli for $10. No loss, right? Did not move at all and that was the challenge. I've gotten it to move but not well. The plastic/bakelite cams and knobs seem to be frozen solid. Did I say the machine was filthy? I've cleaned, PB blasted, lubed, cleaned some more. No avail.

I'm ready to dump it. But where? Recycler? Trash? Craigslist? What do you do when one becomes a boat anchor? I have other machines I'd rather deal with. This was my excursion into a newer model.
I'm not thrilled with my 319 either.

I'm not impressed with the 1960 era machines. My old, filthy, oil encrusted 1874 Davis barely ran when I got it. Took the innards out, cleaned, fresh oil, and now it runs well. These new fangled machines aren't nearly as friendly.

Mickey2

The outer shell of the body is cast aluminium? It usually cleans up well. I know frozen parts can be cumbersome and needs patience. If it looks like it eventually will clean up well I would not give it up, but if it's like the Necchi Lydias it needs to be in very good shape for anyone to bother finding solution for the parts that often cracket. Someone who wants stretchy stitches has to accept a few plastic parts.

I haven't had my hands on a Vigorelli, but I will say it's well worth fixing up an old Elna Supermatic or and old Bernina from 50s and 60s, there's a few plastic gears, and the camstack often needs a bit of work to shift again.

bkay

If I can't make it work, I assume no one else is interested in spending a lot of time on it. I know the value of most of my sewing machines. If it sells for less than $100.00 and I can't resuscitate it, I set it out for the metal pickers on big trash day.

Or, at least I plan to.

bkay

Cari-in-Oly

I will only give up on a machine and call it yard art when it's totally beyond repair, for example the beautiful Chinese made Ideal clone that I got to put the case with another machine. The machines under parts for the bobbin race was poorly made and is broken in half, it's beyond repair. Out of 70+ machines this is the only one I've stripped for parts. I've sold or given away some other machines that were beyond my ability to fix or I just wasn't interested in fixing. I gave a friend a very nice 1920s Singer 99 in a bentwood case that only needed the wires to the motor replaced. He put a hand crank on it and uses it for his daughters 4H sewing classes. I've also given away a rust bucket White that can be brought back to life, I just lost interest in it. I've got a few machines that need a part that I'll find eventually. I won't give up on them if they can be put back into service even if it takes a long time to find the right parts.
Here where I live there are so many vintage machine enthusiasts that there is almost always someone willing to take on a project machine that someone else doesn't want. Here in the PNW very few make it to the landfill.

Cari

leonf

jpwest, You haven't mentioned using heat to get your Italian turning easier. They do tend to gum up more ( and quicker) that US machines. Heat can melt stuck grease. Hair dryers are wonderful.. but I do have a Necchi I am tempted to put in an oven Hmm 140 degrees for 10 minutes. Ok maybe not with plastic bits.

That said, I am a sucker for underdog machines. I do like challenges as I posted in the list about what makes you want another machine. I make it to Wichita about once every couple of months. Heck I was there Sunday. If you are through with it, I wouldn't mind a try.

Do you have pics? Gotta be tiny to post them here.

Mickey2

I'm thinking gumming up has to do with the grease or oil used, the odd thing is these machines usually were oiled, so the least likely to lave trouble later on. Sometings are down to user errors, but again, grease and wrong oil are the worst offenders.

I use soap, water and microfiber coths for cleaning, and car polish often lift up any last traces of dirt. I guess any staining are oil mess left for 30 years or so, and it usually comes off. If the machine is intact, all parts are there, I'm sure someone are interested in it.

If it's badly treated, worn down, broken parts, impossible to find replacements, etc.; it has to be just the right model to be worth the effort. Don't feel bad about letting a machine go when it's beyond hope, but dirt and grime should not stop you ;- )

themadpatter

Haha, jpwest, it looks like leonf is ready for a challenge when you are through with it!

leonf

So I finally got to visit jpwewst and pick up the little gunnybear. After visiting a bit I knew it was going to be interesting. I could see where a lot of cleaning and oiling had been done. Found these odd screws holding down the top/faceplate assembly.[ATTACH=CONFIG]584422[/ATTACH]

Yes, they are oil holes and screws too. Interesting. I got out my long spout oiler and kept it busy as I hand turned it. It was indeed sluggish I got the LCR needle positioner to move, YAY, and another piece to turn that I don't know what it should do yet. Some controls are still stuck, but it freed up in spinning. I hooked power to the motor and it is now turning pretty well. Now to try to get more controls free and find a bobbin case and bobbin. oh yea, and a needle. Thank jpwest.[ATTACH=CONFIG]584423[/ATTACH] We had a nice visit. 3 machines left her house and she found out I know some of her in laws.

OurWorkbench

Neat

Leon, I understand how easy it is to post pictures of just part of the machine. I'd sure like to see this machine head on and the F&R, too.

Good for you to get it moving again. Are you using Tri-Flow? I know we have had some stubborn that after oiling and letting sit overnight helped. Also had a few that took more than that.

It looks like a 15 class bobbin case and bobbin.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

leonf

Hi Janey. just sewing machine oil and lots of wiggles so far. I think jpwest was very close to having it going.

You may be right about the class 15 bits. I'll let you know.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]584546[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]584547[/ATTACH]