Originally Posted by olebat
Having an index to this thread would be the kiss of sweetness. I'm having rotten luck with key words in the search. I know I read about the insulation flaking off of the wires, and comments about lead - just don't eat it, but I can't locate that portion.
While servicing my FW this weekend, the flakes were falling into the gears. I was camping, so didn't have everything I needed for the job at hand. I just picked the flakes out with a pin, and carried on with the lube job. At the time I read the thread, I was unaware of the flakes, now I have a need to know.
Should I rewire the machine? Is that something which can be done by a good handyman, or do I need to pay a sewing machine specialist more than I paid for the machine to do the job? It's a great little machine and I like to keep it up, but that stitch in time thing is nagging me.
It started with a post by Lucky Patsys Mom on page 970. I own a 1948 Featherweight and mine was doing this also when I first got mine. Don't know what year yours was made but on mine the "insulation" is actually a metal tube that the wire goes up thru to protect the wire from the gears. Just clean the flaking off the metal tube with a soft brush and wipe up with a damp paper towel. I didn't rewire my machine but the wires weren't brittle or cracked or the copper wire exposed either and all the connections were tight. I've had mine over a year and used it a lot and have had no problem.
It's your call but the flaking on the metal tube is just lead paint.
There is a Featherweight Yahoo group you can join and learn all about your Featherweight.
Hope this helps, Judy
Judy