9W Singer hand wheel removal
 

I am working on a 9W Singer machine that was my Grandmothers and cleaning it up and refinishing it because of rust. I have been unable to get the handwheel off and would like to to be able to clean and refinish it and the surfaces behind it. What is the secret to removing it? I have taken what I thought was the retaining screw off and pounded on the wheel a bit but afraid to get too aggressive. Anyone tackled this before?

Use a bit of Tri-flow and then after it has a bit of time use some heat. Pounding could bend the shaft.

EEEEEEK ........ No beatum on machine, grand mother will haunt your dreams!

Loosen little screw, turn off stop motion knob. Pour oil ( Tri-Flow if you have it ) into large hole in belt grove and at the front of the shaft. Let it steep for a while. Rotate the wheel. Work it in and out to let the T-F dissolve the oil oil that's gumming it up.
(T-F has special solvents just for that purpose) Like Miriam says, use heat if needed.

There is all manner of things that can be knocked out of kilter by beating on the hand besides bending things. Gentle tapping with a plastic hammer is OK a little, but I usually don't even do that.

9Ws are easy, just take your time.

Joe