Singer 31-15 Spa Treatment Experiment
This is not a tutorial, this is an experiment. I don’t know how it’s going to come out until I get there. I’ve wanted to try this sewing machine soak treatment ever since I bought a bunch of machines from a deceased collector’s wife. His goal in his hobby of vintage sewing machines, according to his wife, was to get each one to sew, while ignoring the cosmetics of the machines. I’ll have to say that he surely achieved his goal, as nearly every one of his machines that I got is still operating freely, even though they haven’t been turned for several years. And some of them are kind of ugly. His wife said that he didn’t care much how they looked, he just loved to make them operational again. I never got to meet him, but I wish that I had.
Mixed in with his sewing machines, tools, parts, and other things that I bought, there were several cans of a spray lubricant that I’ve never used before. There were some nearly empty cans and some full cans both. Since there weren’t any other lubricants or penetrants visible (to me) in his stuff, I would guess that this is the goop that he liked to use to free up sewing machines. He also had one of the largest antique tractor collections in north Texas at his passing, and had switched to sewing machines in later years when the tractor parts got too heavy for him to enjoy. Antique tractor people in the area will know who I’m talking about.
I’m going to give this stuff a test on the rusted-up, bound-up 1937 Singer 31-15 that I just toted home. On close inspection, the needle is mounted into the needlebar backwards. All indications are that the machine was perhaps declared “broken”, since it wouldn’t sew, and left to set out in the weather until the wood portion of the power stand deteriorated to the point of collapse. The wood portions were discarded (along with the bobbin winder and presser bar knee lift that were still mounted to it), and the machine, clutch motor, and H-leg power stand offered for salvage. I’m going to try to bring it back into service.
Since my camera flash concealed the label on the can in my photos, I’ll keep the name of it a secret for now. The only hint that I’ll give is that the stuff is a petroleum-based product. If the stuff causes the machine to turn pink and fly off, I wouldn’t want to reveal the name of the product for obvious reasons. For safety, this activity is being undertaken on an outside open-air covered patio. Besides that, my wife wouldn’t put up with the smell of this stuff inside of her house.
Photo 1: A quick photo showing what looks like an old wheelchair, but it’s actually a “Heavy Sewing Machine Transporter”. I have 5 of them scattered around at home and at the shop. The one shown is the Model HSMT1, the first one that I bought several years ago.
Photo 2: On a flat bench surface, a 33-gallon trash bag with an old fiber cafeteria tray inserted within.
CD in Oklahoma