miriam

Take your time - you can't learn it all at once. I guess I just dive in and make all sorts of mistakes - though if I had started on the simple machines I might never have tackled the more complex ones. I seem to take steps forward and then a few back and then forward. I think if you can follow directions on a pattern you can figure out the directions on a machine - then again maybe not... everybody is different. I have a real good friend who can figure out a lot and she sews real nice but she is petrified of opening up anything on a sewing machine. I clean her machine when I'm at her house eating the best food on the planet... everybody has their special something - a wise person once told me that if you do something enough and make enough mistakes you can learn to do anything. Oh and if you eat at my house make sure DH cooked it... LOL...

Today I cleaned up 3 machines, 2 clones and a FW. The FW was already cleaned but I just had to mess with it. The clones were from the hoard. I was amazed at how well the black Challenge cleaned up. It is from Sears. The other is blue and it wasn't quite so grossly dirty. They both now just need tension springs and new wiring so they are on hold until we get a rainy day and tension springs.

DH put in new windows on the blue house!!! He's put in 9 or 10 so far and has 6 to go. We had intended to just re-glaze the existing but between the time, the glass and the energy loss we voted for new windows. We also have been trying to work out a kitchen in there and I have finally been able to wrap my brain around something and I think it will work, not cost a whole bunch and re-use what is there in a new way. My BIL who paints came over a couple weeks ago and we discussed the 'dreary old metal cabinets'. It is a 1950s bungle so it will stay bungled - well maybe improve on the bungles with some changes. It for sure will need insulation and a few new wires and ALL new pipes - not much left after the scavengers hauled most of them off to the scrap yard so they could get a fix. It will need new lights for the same reason. We haven't lifted the carpet out - we've been waiting on the windows for a lot of stuff so we don't know about the hardwood under the carpets yet.

jpete523

I seem to be suffering from a siege of forgetfulness lately. I remember a discussion that the Singer Serial number lists were removed from their website. Many helpful members posted where we could still access the information but now I can't find them. I know ISMACS has the serial numbers but the list doesn't appear to be complete. Can someone please direct me to that information? Thank you so much!

Candace

Here's the Viking 6370 I spent so many hours refurbishing. I learned a lot on this one. I only got one cam so now have to be on the look out for more. I think this was made in the early 80's, so doesn't really qualify as vintage yet...but maybe in a few years!

nurseknitsLaura

Before and after:[ATTACH=CONFIG]338508[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]338509[/ATTACH]
Likely I could get it to sew. It's been oiled up and moves freely. The bobbin and case are there. Sadly, the bobbing winder was broken off. I'm guessing I'll tuck it away in case I come across one in better shape that needs parts.

BoJangles

Jan, go to this Singer site and where you see the 'Y' just put in the letter or letters you are looking for. http://www.singerco.com/uploads/asse...NGER_Y_nos.pdf

Nancy

Candace, that is a nice looking Viking, but I am not sure I'd tackle what you tackle! Maybe, if I started buying the 'newer' old machines! I can see why you wanted to fix that one!

Laura, I saw a Standard just like that one at a flea market yesterday! Good job!

Miriam, I think I could learn more about the mechanics of the machines if I really wanted to! I am just not so sure I want to! I spend most of my day with the horses or in the yard. I like tinkering with the machines, but I don't think I'd spend as much time as you and Candace do on them. I am more of a work on one for a little while - go out and play with a horse - work on it again! I have a very short attention span - I have to be moving! And geeze, you guys sure took on a load with that place - but, you seem like the kind of people who will really make it work. Be careful that you don't get into whatever you got into last year that broke you all out!
Nancy

jpete523

Nancy - Thank you for the link. I'm looking for a date on my new-to-me 301A but no luck so far. It's an "NB" but the link doesn't bring it up. I do appreciate your help!

miriam

Nancy, rest assured I'm staying out of the weed chopping. DH did a bunch last fall and this spring - hopefully it is a bit better under control for a while. Seems like all we do is work. Oh well, keeps us out of trouble I guess.

BoJangles

Jan 'NB' is 1956, made in Anderson, South Carolina. I don't think you can find an actual day of allotment for the 'NB' series.

Nancy

Havplenty

jan where do you find the serial number for the 301a? i have a new to me 301a also in lbow.

jpete523

Nancy - Wow! Thanks, 1956, huh?

Havplenty - Must be a good time for finding LBOW, mine is one, too. The serial number is stamped under the bed on the left side near the hinge for the extension. You don't have to remove the oil drip cover, it's outside of it.

I think I'm going to really like this machine. It really is like a big sister of the Featherweight. I just got her cleaned up and spent a few minutes test stitching but I'm impressed so far.