Originally Posted by
BoJangles
Did someone tell you, you have an August 19, 1947 machine? The white powdery stuff is probably just the stuff they used to coat the wires under the machine. Just wipe it off - no big deal. Most of the old FW's have the same problem. There should only be one spool pin on top. I saw your pictures. The FW's are really mechanical marvels - so small - but, such great machines. That spool pin cover opens so you can oil and clean in there. There should be a screw holding it closed, though.
Nancy
I didn't know it was from 1949. My mom was born in 44. I know that in 1959, when mom was a teenager, she was working for a lady with ill health. The lady didn't have a lot of money, but she did have the FW. She gave it to my mother before she died. My mom was the only other owner of the machine. I know it hasn't been used in probably 20-25 years. Mom stopped sewing around the time I was 10 or so.
Are the manuals for the FW's downloadable? I don't have one and it wasn't among mom's stuff. The plate thing that moves with the thread on it looks like it should have 2 screws, but there is only a hole to screw one. I think the other one was busted off at some point. If I could figure out the name of the part I could probably buy another one.
Mom had a bunch, like 20, bobbins, all with a ton of holes in them. I think those are for the FW. There is one that doesn't have the holes. I don't know if it would go to her FW or not. Are there any tricks to tell the difference in sizes in the bobbins? I don't know what happened to the feet of the machine. There's only one on the machine and I can't find any other attachments. All I need is one to piece with cause that's what I'll be using her for. I need to go peruse the tutorials so I can find the one one cleaning, so I can clean her up.