I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned on sewing machines today. Some are beyond hope and some that I thought were beyond hope turned out to be pretty cool. I showed a pic of a MW orange machine last week. I thought I'd give it a look see if it was junk or what. The zz was not moving at all but it cleaned up real nice and turns out to be a decent machine now that it works. It took a while but I even found a manual and a full set of accessories that hadn't been opened. Then I tried the motor. It either doesn't run or it only runs and doesn't stop - depends on which way it gets plugged into the strip. pics are from before I cleaned it up.
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That yellow machine was really dirty but it cleaned up nice. It was missing the motor and foot control and didn't have any cool accessories. That machine turns beautifully - the bobbin case self ejects when the wheel is turned. I couldn't help it - that machine is cool.
Then I messed with an assortment of zz machines today. Some were frozen up but look like they might be good machines when they unlock. There were a couple Singer 237s that were frozen up and I got them working I think. I never did thread up - I just cleaned the crud off and got them turning. There is one machine I checked over - not bad but the reverse doesn't do anything. Phil matched up foot controls with as many as had some. I picked up a Japanese machine all dirty and icky, cleaned it up and away it goes - totally clean inside - a keeper. There is a 'Wizard' that I was hoping would be a good machine that is rusted everywhere - it won't even make a parts machine. It is also missing the motor and foot control. That was just the machines off the floor. I'm pretty excited how many actually will work but parts machines are not a bad thing either.
some of the off the floor machines we put in more later:
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I dug out an old black Necchi - it was frozen up - I got it to turn but it has a spot that likes to stick. Not a whole lot of access on that one. It could go in a treadle if it will free up. I looked at a Necchi Nora - I think I messed that one up years ago. (It was frozen up so I used some liquid wrench on it. Melted the plastic stitch length piece.)
no more liquid wrench everywhere. spank spank spank. Too bad - that is a very nice machine. Very pretty and I love the engineering. I think I can see how Necchi is related to some of the Kenmore machines. Not having manuals makes it tough to figure out some of them right away but eventually they come around.
Some time I need to check out all the godzilla machines - I think there are 8 or 10 assorted machines. Some I know right off are not going to be able to work. There are a couple especially nice ones though. HEAVY. WHEW.
There are a bunch with potted motors - all need work.
DD came along and brought little Walter to play with. He is so cute. He giggles now. I think she just wanted to see all those machines. She is looking at the free arm one I got. Yeah one... HEAVY Kenmore. I can't remember if it works or not.