update on rough 66
 

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...t-t258851.html

the link it where it all started.

First - I want to say that Evapo-Rust is not all that common around here.
Second - I went to three local hardware stores asking for it. In two of them the men working there tried to tell me I wanted naval jelly. The third place was nice enough just to say they didn't have it. Lowe's and Home Depot didn't have it. Harbor Freight did but just in a humongous container. I went to pep boys. Not there. But Auto Zone did. Finally.

What at got the face plate clean was a paste of salt and lime juice. Smelled great.

I went to a smoke store looking for lighter fluid with naphtha. I could hardly breathe! Theirs didn't have naphtha so they sent me next door to the convenience store for Ronson - the fumes of which gave me an ocular migraine. But that passed.

I think it is clean now. As clean as I can get it without taking it way apart. I am too unskilled to try that. It is also oiled.

I have a 15 in a treadle cabinet. That machine is much smaller than the 66 and the hinges were different - two screw holes. The 66 hinges have one hole. But I tried switching the hinges and they are interchangeable. The 66 fits in the cabinet except if I want to close it up I have to take the back cover off. Not a problem because I leave it up.

It it sews fine. I took the tension assembly apart and cleaned it - only the second time I did that. The belt from the other machine seems to fit okay. I can work it with minimal effort.

Mr Stitchnripper was the enabler to get this machine. Come to find out that the Atlanta son is also an enabler because he found an electric 15 which looks full size in the picture he sent and then once that is up and running I will consider dispensing with the smaller 15. I haven't been able to find any info on the smaller size.


Its its been a fun project and keeps me out of the frig while I am doing all of this. [ATTACH=CONFIG]506873[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]506875[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]506876[/ATTACH]

Congrats on getting it cleaned up and running again. Looks like the evaporust may have taken the shine out of the handwheel and clutch knob. Given the shape they were in before, it's a small price to pay and you can re-polish them at some point if you choose. That machine looked pretty rough when you first bought it. You've done a great job restoring it.
Rodney

Great work Stitichnripper, If the evaporust turn the metal dark it will shine up again with Brasso and fine steel wool really nice.
Skip

Question...how painful was the tension assembly to deal with???? I have a 66 which has a reasonably rusted tension assembly that I am terrified to tackle myself. So afraid I won't get it back together as it's supposed to. The balance of the machine is in actually decent condition and doesn't scare me. Tension mechanism....different story.

NJ Quilter, I'm going to repeat lots of advice given to me and others. When you're taking something apart, such as your tension, you lay out the parts in the order you remove them. Make sure they're on a surface that won't reflect back in your face as you photograph all of the parts in the order you remove them. Then, you have a definite guide to putting them all back together, and doing it correctly! You can do it!

Alyce, your machine is beautiful! You did a great job on it!


Jeanette

NJ Quilter - what Jeanette said. That's what I did. On my newer 66 with the numbered tension I even had to straighten the post out with a screw on the inside if I remember. But same applied. Take it off piece by piece and keep track.

I just got into the tension on my 66. Only the second one I have ever taken apart. It is a lot more sensible than the Stylist tension. This one you can start twisting the knob back on and there is no tension at all in the spring. There is zero chance the spring will shoot off while you are trying to line up the knob. Which I cannot say about the stupid Singer Stylist.

Wow, great job! That looks very nice -- really clean. :)

Nice job, pat yourself on the back. I love the decals on the 66's...thanks for the update.