Progress Report: Singer 66 Red Eye
I've posted elsewhere here that I found last summer a 1910-ish Singer Red-Eye in a junk shop in New Hampshire. Her case was shot (and not very good to begin with); she was electric, but I think converted from treadle. She was my "first love" and entryway into Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasm.
Following Billy's photo tutorial, I started taking her apart, but got stopped by the inner wheel inside the hand wheel-- the one you turn counter-clockwise to allow you to wind a bobbin. I tried many of the recommended sprays to no avail. Finally took a piece of a leather belt, a hose clamp, a screwdriver, hammer and two pairs of hands to get her loose.
A neighbor GAVE me an old treadle base (Singer) that her family had been using to hold up their kitchen table for at least twenty years, and following instructions on treadleon.net, my WONDERFUL husband (oh.... that's why you call them DHs....) cut out a top for her. For the time being we're using oak plywood.
Next up: order the belt (recommendations?), and wait for warmer weather, so I can take Helen Redeye outside and follow the rest of Billy's cleaning instructions. Here are some photos.
Nearly naked:
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My man:
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Dining room turned into woodshop (and Helen Redeye in the foreground on her new base)
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