Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

I looked at the patent numbers on my first one. they are 1872, 1873,March 1876, 1877 and 1878. The new one has only two patent dates 1872 and 1873. Looks like to me it must be between 1873 and March 1876. I'll look for more dates tomorrow. I'll go read that Sewmuse article now. I'll shoot a couple more pictures tomorrow of the "jewelry" she has. Just read the article, so it must be one of the first ones of 1876. Now that is neat !

Texas Jan

Originally Posted by vintagemotif

I only clean my machines with sewing machine oil. If there is rust on metal parts, then Bar Keepers works.
I don't take machines apart to clean unless it a total must do to get machine working correctly. That said, I have never taken any of my machines totally apart to clean them; sections yes, entire machine no. Somehow with a good bathing in sewing oil and many wipe with cottonballs and q-tips, a machine gets clean. Hard to move parts gets Tri Flow ( Thank you Cathy for showing me this product).

I once followed directions to clean with GoJo non-pumice, only to have decals silver and disappear on me. I was pissed when that happened. I NO longer use that stuff.

In my many wanderings of google searches on cleaning vintage sewing machines, I came across one blog were that blogger only cleaned with sewing machine oil. He had the most gorgeous machines I have ever seen (wish I had bookmarked his blog, cause I can't find it now). He stated it would sometimes take him weeks to remove layers of old oil and dirt that had layered up. The decals on his machines were pristine. That sold me on just using sewing oil to clean these poor ladies and gents.

MUVs cleaning is what I would follow if I were a newbie to cleaning vintage machines and I was totally scared of what if...

Originally Posted by quiltdoctor

DH and I went and picked up the WW8 that was on CL today. She is in really good shape and I am thrilled to pieces. Right now she is not turning, but has very little rust and probably needs a good oiling. She is older than my other WW8. Her Serial No is only 5 digits long---57153. The last Patent date on her is 1873. There is a concealed drawer in her top which had several glass feet and tools inside. On the back is a bar that controls the pressure to the pressure foot. Is not operated by a spring. The pressure foot lifter is completely outside the machine too. I will really check her out tomorrow, but after being in the car for over 4 hours to get her home, I am pooped out.
My other WW8 serial number is 385288. How do these numbers compare to anyone else that has the WW8.

Texas Jan

Originally Posted by Crossstitcher

I have a machine and cabinet just like this one usued to be. Mine is in a lot better condition. Bought it from the orginal owner who was in her 80's and moving to FL. Left all the goodies in the drawers also.

Originally Posted by Crossstitcher

Went to visit a lady the other day and got to talking about sewing machines. Welllll she said she had a few downstairs she was just going to get rid of. So we took a look and there were 9 machines. There were 4 singers 4 kenmores and 1 pink atlas. Needless to say they came home with us. Hubby cleaned oiled and I threaded and all the machines but one sews good. Don't know yet why she wanted to get rid of them. They are newer machines but still they all sew. The Atlas is the only one that doesn't because the tension parts are missing. Any way here is a picture of one of the machines and it zig zags and can be put into a treadle. Singer even has in there manual you can put to a foot treadle. It's a Singer Merritt. We tried putting it in an old treadle cabinet but will have to modify one to make it fit right. I think that turned out to be a lucky day for us.

Originally Posted by JabezRose

My bobbin winder broke off my belt guard on my featherweight. Suggestions on how to fix it. I know you can't weld it so has to be another way. Broke off flush with the machine, sitting here looking pitiful.

Originally Posted by BoJangles

Texas Jan do post this in the Vintage photos section - or did you already - I guess I should look before I type?

Nancy